Junta detains 425 civilians in Arakan since latest fighting began: AA

By Admin 28 May 2024

DMG Newsroom
28 May 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has arrested 425 civilians in the six months from November 13 to May 13, the United League of Arakan/Arakkha Army (ULA/AA) said in a statement on Tuesday.

According to figures compiled by the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office of the ULA/AA, the regime has detained 425 civilians since the latest hostilities in Arakan State began under various charges: by township, 117 from Sittwe, one each from Ponnagyun and Rathedaung, 46 from Buthidaung, 20 each from Maungdaw and Thandwe, four from Kyauktaw, 15 from Mrauk-U, two each from Minbya and Myebon, five each from Ann and Gwa, 21 from Taungup, six from Ramree, 113 from Kyaukphyu and 45 from Pauktaw.

Political analysts say the regime is deliberately detaining civilians who are not enemy combatants during the fighting.

“The regime is arresting the people as enemies, and the arrests on the ground will continue. This is the procedure of the regime,” said political analyst U Than Soe Naing.

Among the detainees are 79 women and 346 men, arrested by junta troops, police and the Muslim armed group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), the Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office said.

“It is not known when those who have been arrested will be released. Or, what will happen to those arrested in the hands of the military regime? Family members are worried about the safety of the detainees,” said a man in Ponnagyun Township.

The Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office’s statement said the regime has been arbitrarily arresting and detaining innocent people who are not involved in the fighting, and attacking civilian and religious buildings as military targets.