Military reportedly releases two detained Kyauktaw men

02 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
2 January 2023, Kyauktaw 

Two out of three local men who were detained near the Maha Myatmuni Buddha Image in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, on August 1, have reportedly been released by the military.

U Maung Saw Thar, a motorcycle taxi driver in his 60s from Thayettapin village, Kyauktaw Township, and two other men were released by the military near Zee Chaung Dam at about on January 1, according to locals.

“Two men were released by junta soldiers near Zee Chaung Dam at around 10 a.m. yesterday. U Maung Saw Thar is still at Kyauktaw police station,” said a village elder in Thayettapin.

U Maung Saw Thar was transferred to Kyauktaw police station and charged under the Unlawful Associations Act in early November, about three months after he was detained.

“Two men were reportedly released, but my husband hasn’t arrived back home,” said Daw Ma Aye Khin, the wife of U Maung Saw Thar. “He is expected to appear before the court on January 3. I want him released as soon as possible.”

A university student and a motorcycle taxi driver who were detained on November 1 at the Kyeinchaung security checkpoint in Maungdaw, Arakan State, and charged under the Unlawful Associations Act were also released on January 1, according to family members.

Family members are also demanding the release of other residents in Arakan State who have been charged under the Unlawful Associations Act after being arrested on suspicion of being linked to the Arakan Army.

At least 46 people were arrested on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army and charged under the Unlawful Associations Act and/or incitement under Sections 505(a) and (b) of the Penal Code during some four months of heightened military tensions and conflict between the military and AA in Arakan State, according to a DMG tally.

The military and AA agreed to an informal ceasefire on November 26, following months of renewed hostilities that began in earnest in August.