Civilian arrests rising in junta-held Arakan State townships 

By Admin 13 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
13 April 2024, Sittwe

The arrest of civilians in junta-held townships in Arakan State has been on the rise and 39 civilians were arrested by the regime during the period from March to April 12, according to a DMG tally.

The arrestees are 18 from Kyaukphyu, five each from Sittwe and Buthidaung, three from Manaung, four from Gwa, two from Thandwe and one each from Taungup and Ann.

“The regime arrests civilians on a daily basis and I don’t know the reason for the arrest. I was careful not to encounter the junta troops,” said a local resident in Kyaukphyu.

The regime detained four young men from Kulabataung Village in Kyaukphyu Township and three men from Thelgon Village in Gwa Township on April 11.

The military council detained Ma May Thazin, a 29-year-old woman from Bauktaung Village in Thandwe Township, on April 9 near Yaungchioo Village on the Thandwe-Taungup road.

“We have yet to contact her [Ma May Thazin]. The reason for the arrest and her whereabouts remain unknown. We are trying to contact her,” said a family member.

Family members are worried because those arrested by the regime have not been released and it has not been possible to contact them.

The military regime has unlawfully arrested, extorted and killed Arakanese people who hold ID cards with 11/ not only in Arakan State but also in other regions, Arakan Army (AA) chief Maj-Gen Twan Mrat Naing said.

“The regime, which is losing its reputation after suffering defeats militarily, may be more angry with the people and behave more inhumanely, so it is best for the people not to stay in areas controlled by the regime at this time,” said an Arakanese politician.

AA chief Twan Mrat Naing urged residents in Arakan State to brace for the decisive battle in the state in his message marking the 15th anniversary of the founding of the AA on April 10. The AA chief also told the residents of Sittwe and Kyaukphyu to evacuate to safer places.

Fighting has been raging in Arakan State for about five months. To date, the AA has seized Pauktaw, Ponnagyun, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Minbya, Myebon and Ramree townships in Arakan State and Paletwa Township in neighbouring Chin State.