Military arrests two Kyaukphyu men

The Myanmar military reportedly arrested two residents of Asoeya Ward in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu town on September 25.

By DMG 26 Sep 2022

Ko Soe Moe Thu, one of two men detained by the military in Kyaukphyu on Sunday. (Photo: Supplied)

DMG Newsroom
26 September 2022, Kyaukphyu

The Myanmar military reportedly arrested two residents of Asoeya Ward in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu town on September 25.

The detainees have been identified as Ko Khin Win Maung and Ko Soe Moe Thu, and the pair were taken from their homes to the Myanmar military’s Kyaukphyu-based Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 34, said a resident.

“Around 30 junta soldiers abducted Ko Khin Win Maung at about 1 p.m. and Ko Soe Moe Thu at around 5 p.m. from their homes,” the resident added.

The detainees are said to be local businessmen and the duo is currently being held at the military’s LIB No. 34, said a source close to Ko Soe Moe Thu. The reason for the arrests remains unknown.

“The wife of Ko Soe Moe Thu sent food to the two men detained at the military’s LIB No. 34, but she was not allowed to see her husband. She was told by military officials that the two men were detained for questioning,” the source added.

The military also took U Yan Naing Min from Kyaukphyu’s Asoeya Ward on September 21, and U Tin Shwe and Maung Soe Lin Aung from Kalabartaung Ward the next day. The military has yet to release any of the detainees, locals said.

DMG phoned Major-General Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the regime, to seek comment on the military’s detention of the two men in Kyaukphyu, but he could not be reached.

The regime has made a series of civilian arrests after fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) resumed in Arakan State over recent months.