Families concerned for three people detained at junta checkpoints in Kyauktaw, Maungdaw

By DMG 01 Dec 2022

DMG Newsroom
1 December 2022, Kyauktaw 

Family members are worried about the well-being of three people who were detained at security checkpoints in Arakan State’s Kyauktaw and Maungdaw townships last month, as they have not been in contact with the trio for weeks. 

U Soe Moe Kyaw, a photographer from Sittwe, went missing at a junta checkpoint in Kyauktaw on his return from Minbya to the Arakan State capital on November 8, and he has not been heard from since, according to family members. Junta soldiers at the checkpoint denied detaining the photographer, said U Maung Shwe Than, a relative of the missing man. 

“The girl who sat beside him [on the bus] said she saw him as junta soldiers checked his citizenship ID behind her [at the checkpoint]. When the bus was about to leave [after the inspection], passengers said one had not yet arrived back,” he said. “When the bus driver asked junta soldiers at the checkpoint, they said they didn’t detain anyone. We thought he was detained at the security checkpoint. I want the military to transfer him to the police even if he is arrested. We are now concerned for his safety.” 

Ma Aye Mya Sandar, 25, from Pyainetaung Village in Minbya Township, and Maung Maung Kyaw, a motorcycle taxi driver from Aungthaphwe Village, were detained at the Kyeinchaung security checkpoint in Maungdaw Township on November 1. 

Ma Aye Mya Sandar was visiting her relatives in northern Maungdaw Township’s Mingalarnyunt Village at the time of the encounter with security personnel. 

The pair hasn’t been seen or heard from since then, said Ko Myoe Nyein Chan, the younger brother of Ma Aye Mya Sandar. 

“My parents went to Maungdaw to enquire about her. When they went to Kyeinchaung security checkpoint where my sister went missing, junta soldiers at the checkpoint denied detaining her. It is not possible for them to enquire about her at the military regiment. We are worried about her safety as we have not been in contact with her for a month,” he said. 

Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs Colonel Kyaw Thura and regime spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun could not be reached for comment. 

Family members say that since the Myanmar military and Arakan Army (AA) reached an informal ceasefire over the weekend, both sides need to work together to free those who are being held captive and search for those who are missing. 

U Khaing Thukha, spokesperson for the Arakanese ethnic armed group, said the AA will do its best to free those arrested by the Myanmar military.