Junta detains two brothers in Chin State’s Paletwa

By DMG 14 Oct 2022

DMG Newsroom
14 October 2022, Paletwa, Chin State

The Myanmar military reportedly detained two brothers in Paletwa, Chin State, on October 13 and 14, according to family members.

Junta soldiers arrested Ko Khaing Hsan Phyo, 25, from Palotetaung Ward in Paletwa on October 13 and his elder brother Ko Oo Saw Hla, 30, from Nyaungbingon Ward the following day.

Ko Khaing Hsan Phyo was taken from his home at around 9 p.m. on Thursday by around 20 soldiers, said Ma Khaing Than Wai, the wife of the detainee.

“He was arrested at home by the junta soldiers, who were not accompanied by the ward administrator, on the pretext of checking for overnight guests,” she told DMG. “I showed them our household certificate. First, they [junta soldiers] asked me, ‘Was Ko Oo Saw Hla at his home?’ They handcuffed my husband and took him in for questioning.”

Ko Khaing Hsan Phyo has a 1-year-old son and his family depends on him. “I want him released as soon as possible because he is an innocent man,” Ma Khaing Than Wai said.

“If he is guilty, he should be punished according to the law, and if he is innocent, he should be released. I am afraid because he was detained like that and I have no idea what to do,” she added.

Ko Oo Saw Hla was also taken from his home by military personnel, at about 5 a.m. on Friday, his wife told DMG.

“The reason for the arrest is still unknown, and he was handcuffed and taken for questioning. They [junta soldiers] told me that my husband would be released if he is not guilty,” she added.

Ko Oo Saw Hla has two daughters, ages 8 months old and 7 years old.

“We have two daughters and we rely on him,” his wife said. “He is the breadwinner of our family. Commodity prices are skyrocketing due to poor transportation. The two brothers were taken to the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 289.”

Junta soldiers detained a junior assistant teacher and a local man in Paletwa Township and reportedly took the pair to the Light Infantry Battalion No. 289 headquarters on October 6.

Military tensions between the junta and Arakan Army continue to rise in Paletwa Township and neighbouring Arakan State amid renewed fighting between the two sides, with dozens of local residents arrested on suspicion of having ties to the ethnic armed group in recent months.