Junta detains some Sittwe residents, extorts money from arrestees

By Admin 17 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
17 July 2024, Sittwe

Junta soldiers who blocked off the entries and exits of the Arakan State capital Sittwe are reportedly arresting local people and extorting money from them.

The regime detained around a dozen civilians from several wards in Sittwe and extorted K3 million to K5 million per arrestee in the first week of July.

“The regime has been extorting money from innocent civilians since renewed fighting [began] in Arakan State. No one can afford to pay that amount at such a difficult time,” said a source close to the local police station.

Arrestees are being held at Sittwe’s No. 1 police station and are not allowed to meet family members. Most arrestees are low-income and are unable to pay the extortion money.

“They [junta officials] did what they wanted to do. No one can afford to pay that amount at such a difficult time,” echoed a woman from Sittwe’s Setyon Ward.

About 50 out of some 200 residents from Mingan Ward in Sittwe who were detained by the regime were reportedly released on bail on June 18. Some detainees paid ransom money of K200,000 to K700,000 to authorities for their release.

The regime has also been arresting civilians in some Sittwe Township villages on suspicion, and has made a series of arrests of civilians in downtown Sittwe on the pretext of conducting overnight guest checks.

While most Sittwe residents have fled to safer locations fearing fighting, the remaining residents are stuck in the Arakan State capital due to financial constraints and road blockades.

“Only those who have money were able to flee to safer locations,” said a local woman in Sittwe.

The regime has tightened security in Sittwe, and has arrested and killed local civilians for various reasons in recent weeks and months, leaving residents feeling insecure.