Junta charges 40 Sittwe residents with unlawful association

By Admin 03 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
3 July 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime has opened cases against at least 40 residents of Mingan Ward in the Arakan State capital Sittwe under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act for allegedly having ties to the Arakkha Army (AA).

Junta troops raided Mingan Ward on June 16, blindfolding and detaining around 200 residents. The regime has subsequently charged 40 of them.

“They were charged for allegedly having ties to the AA. I heard the plaintiff was a major,” a family member told DMG. Court proceedings will begin on July 11, he added.

Following their arrests, the Mingan Ward residents were briefly detained in Dar Paing (Muslim) Village, and at Infantry Battalion No. 20, Police Battalion No. 12 and the regional operations command in Sittwe. The majority of them were later released.

“Some were released on bail, and some were released after giving money. The regime has been arbitrarily arresting and prosecuting people. It is not safe living here,” said a Mingan resident.

Many residents have already fled Sittwe for fear of possible fighting, but many low-income families are trapped in the town due to financial difficulties paying for transportation costs and the junta’s blockading of roads and waterways. 

“I have done nothing illegal. But I don’t feel safe, especially at night. I have had many sleepless nights,” said a Sittwe resident.

The regime raided Byaing Phyu Village in Sittwe Township on May 29, arresting more than 300 residents and killing at least 76 of them. Family members are still unable to contact some of the detainees.

Junta troops have occupied at least 14 villages around Sittwe after forcing residents to move to the town. The regime has also planted landmines around the Arakan State capital.

The regional operations command, Light Infantry Battalion Nos. 344 and 354, Infantry Battalion Nos. 20, 232 and 270, and Police Battalion Nos. 12 and 36 are based in Sittwe.