Residents flee Sittwe Twsp village after arrival of junta soldiers

By DMG 25 May 2022

DMG Newsroom
25 May 2022, Sittwe  

Some residents of Wabo village in Arakan State’s Sittwe Township, have fled after about 50 junta soldiers were deployed to the village monastery and school. 

The soldiers arrived at the 300-household village at noon on Tuesday, and they were still present on Wednesday evening, said residents. 

Young and middle-aged people from the village fled for fear of detention and interrogation, said a villager who has left the village. 

“Though we have done nothing wrong, we are concerned that they might detain and interrogate us. So, we have fled. Only people aged above 50 and children are left in the village,” he said. 

Another villager said: “Almost all the male villagers have fled. Only women are left in the village.” 

DMG was unable to obtain comment from Arakan State Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Kyaw Thura about junta troop deployments in Wabo village. 

U Maung Thein, a clerk from the Wabo village administration office, said: “They are staying at the monastery, and providing healthcare to those who are sick. They said they came to provide healthcare services, and help clean monasteries and schools in villages upon request.” 

Many residents of Wabo make a living by weaving, and the village is known for its hand-woven clothing. 

Junta troop incursions into villages have become increasingly common not only in Sittwe but also in other Arakan State townships. During their stays in villages, junta troops have checked houses for overnight guests and asked residents about the Arakan Army, according to villagers.