Regime releases wanted list of Maungdaw residents

By Admin 22 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
22 November 2023, Maungdaw

Myanmar’s military regime is reportedly attempting to arrest 13 local people including a ward administrator and a lawyer in Maungdaw, Arakan State, on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army (AA).

The regime released a wanted list of people with their photos, asking residents to inform the local authorities if they are found, and accusing the 13 people of providing legal training to the AA, supplying food and destabilising the area.

“The regime posted letters about the wanted 13 people in the crowded areas in Maungdaw [on the morning of November 22]. The regime accused the 13 people of providing food to the AA. The 13 people have reportedly gone into hiding,” said a local man in Maungdaw.

DMG continues to attempt to contact the Maungdaw residents wanted by the regime.

The 13 people people include U San Tun Aung, an administrator of Waithali Ward; Ko Kyaw Min Hlaing, a clerk from the Maungdaw District General Administration Department; U Khin Win, a lawyer; U Tun Aye Thein, owner of Nawarat Jewelry; and U Maung Win Thein, owner of Win Store.

DMG’s calls to Arakan State security and border affairs minister Colonel Kyaw Thura went unanswered.

Junta soldiers have raided homes in Maungdaw at night and arrested residents in recent days, causing a pervasive sense of insecurity, locals said.

“Junta soldiers patrol in cars at night. The military council is deliberately working to scare the locals,” said a community elder in Maungdaw.

Junta soldiers raided some homes in Maungdaw and detained a local woman on November 20, releasing the detainee the next day, according to residents.

Politicians have criticised the fact that junta soldiers have been raiding residents’ homes at night and making arrests, instilling fear.

The regime has made a series of arrests of locals in Arakan State following renewed hostilities between the military and Arakan Army on November 13.

About 30 residents in Sittwe are among 50 people from Sittwe, Taungup, Kyaukphyu and Buthidaung townships who have been detained by the regime during the latest fighting in Arakan State, according to DMG’s figures.