Myanmar military detains two Ponnagyun men

By DMG 19 Jul 2022

DMG Newsroom
19 July 2022, Ponnagyun

The Myanmar military arrested two men from Sanpya ward in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun Township early Tuesday morning, according to family members of the detainees.

The men have been identified as U Moe Thee Khaing, 50, and U Maung Hsan, 40. They were taken from their homes by about 20 junta soldiers at about 4 a.m. on Tuesday, a family member of U Moe Thee Khaing told DMG.

“He was taken from home while he was sleeping. He was reportedly detained for questioning. I don’t know exactly which Myanmar military battalion arrested him,” said a family member of U Moe Thee Khaing.

U Moe Thee Khaing’s family members are worried about his safety, the relative added, as they have not been in contact with him since his arrest.

“He is a philanthropist and a respected elder in this community. Whether it’s the need for support for children or the health of the elderly, he takes the lead. I want him released as soon as possible as he has no ties to any organisation,” the family member told DMG.

U Maung Hsan, the other detainee, reportedly earns a living as a restaurant owner.

DMG attempted to contact Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura for comment on the matter, but he could not be reached.

“Regarding this matter, I have not received any news yet, so I don’t know yet,” said U Khaing Thukha, spokesman for the Arakan Army. “However, it is possible that the Myanmar military is arresting civilians on the basis of suspicion.”

Last month, the Arakan Army abducted at least 14 junta soldiers and police officers in Arakan State, including some in Ponnagyun Township. The ethnic armed group said it had seized the security personnel due to the regime’s arrest of its members.

In response, the regime detained dozens of people in Arakan State, subsequently releasing only a portion of them. The military arrested six Ponnagyun residents after the Arakan Army detained a junta soldier in the township on June 16, filing a lawsuit against the six under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision.

Civilian arrests in Arakan State became less common after the Arakan Army and Myanmar military agreed to an unofficial ceasefire in November 2020. In recent months, however, tensions between the two sides have been rising.