Tatmadaw troops seize property, ANP member says

By Cha Lu Aung 02 Apr 2019

Cha Lu Aung/ DMG

April 2, Sittwe

Some members of Tatmadaw troop commandeered property from a house and shop, U Maung Tin Win, township executive member of the Arakan National Party, told the DMG.

When a troop of Tatmadaw entered Nwayonedaung village in Buthidaung Township on Monday night, about seven soldiers entered a home at about 8 p.m and took away beer and other goods from a shop, he said.

“I went and saw my place this morning and found that they broke into my house. I lost goods from my shop worth more than K700,000. Eyewitness said they were soldiers from No.22 Brigade,” the victim said.

Hearing the sound of artillery shells near the village, local residents took shelter in Zedidaung village. About 30 people currently are living in the village.

Although no one was at the home, some neighbors saw soldiers enter the house and take goods. They remained silent because they were afraid of telling the soldiers to stop, U Tin Maung Win said.

They tore down an ANP signpost displayed in front of the house and a Rakhine State flag, he said, adding that they set fire to some materials.

“Only one house was looted. The ANP signpost was in front of my house. I think the soldiers did not like it and they intentionally seized property,” the victim said.

The victim reported the incident to the administrator of Sangotaung village tract and he will file a report to the relevant police station, he added.

U San Tun Kyaw, administrator of Sangotaung village tract, said that he was notified about the loss of personal properties by phone and he will submit the case to the township office.

The DMG contacted Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun from the Tatmadaw True News Information Team about the case, he was not aware of the case yet and the No.22 Brigade has been positioned in Rathedaung Township, not in Buthidaung Township.

But, U Aung Thaung Shwe, Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Buthidaung Township, said that troops of No.22 Brigade were positioned in Sangotaung village tract and they were conducting their operations at Sai Din Creek in Buthidaung Township.

“They are positioned at the Sangotaung Pagoda. They destroyed all houses in Sangotaung village,” he said.

Soldiers took 16 cases of beer, 3 cartons of canned fish, 7 cartons of instant noodles, 2 cartons of alcohol, 10 cartons of cigarette and other goods from a shop, according to villagers.

The ANP is providing relief for IDPs.  And it is compiling a list including the loss of people and destruction in Mrauk-U town during the armed conflicts and will submit it to top seniors such as Commander-in-Chief and President.