Police charge bus line driver under anti-Terrorism Act

By Khaing Roe La 25 Nov 2019

Khaing Roe La | DMG
25 November, Sittwe
 
In the wake of the abduction of a police officer, bus driver U Tun Chay from Paikthay ward in Kyauktaw Township has been arrested and accused under section 50 (a) and (b) and 52 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Police sub lieutenant Myo Ko Ko, head of Apaukwa police station in Kyauktaw Township, was abducted by the AA near Kyankhin village, Ponnagyun Township, while he was leaving for Sittwe from Kyauktaw on 27 October by a bus.

The driver has been remanded in custody in Ponnagyun town and interrogated, family members said.

“What he told us is that a passenger got on at Apaukwa. Then, a group of people stopped the bus near Kyankhin and took that passenger,” U Tun Tun Aung, uncle of the driver, said.

His family member said that the driver was not involved with any organization, but he has now been detained on suspicion of having connections with the Arakan Army.

The DMG phoned the Ponnagyun police station to get comment for the case, but no one could be reached for comment.

“Currently, we don’t know what the charges are,” said U Tun Hla, who will defend the driver.

The AA offered to exchange 17 detained people including abductees from the Shwenadi express ferry boat and the police officer, along with civilians the Tatmadaw detained in Arakan State on suspicion of having ties with the AA. But the Tatmadaw rejected the AA’s offer.