Military detains Arakanese composer in Thandwe

By DMG 24 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
24 October 2022, Thandwe

The Myanmar military reportedly abducted U San Ko, an Arakanese composer and owner of Arakan Ar Mahn bus gate in Arakan State’s Thandwe, at around noon on October 23.

About 20 junta soldiers from the military’s Ngapali-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 55 took U San Ko from his home in Sat Lae Myaw Village, a family member of the detainee told DMG.

“He [U San Ko] was reportedly arrested for questioning and is currently being held at the military’s LIB 55 in Ngapali,” the family member said.

According to family members, U San Ko is a composer of Arakanese music as a hobby, adding that he has stopped working and is receiving medical treatment due to poor health.

“He runs a bus gate and composes Arakanese songs. He wrote many of the songs sung by Arakan singer Win Ko Khaing. Now he has been ill for about a year and is currently receiving medical treatment. We are worried about his health,” a family member said.

The military’s Ngapali-based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 55 also arrested U Aung Kyaw Win, managing director of Pyae Phyo Thandar Construction Co., in Thandwe on October 7, and family members have yet to contact him.

DMG phoned Major-General Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the regime, seeking comment on the military’s detention of locals in Arakan State, but he could not be reached.