Dozens of Arakan residents detained at Padaung checkpoint    

By Admin 08 Oct 2025

DMG Newsroom

8 October 2025, Taungup
 
Myanmar’s military regime has reportedly arrested 36 locals from Taungup Township, Arakan State, who were leaving for mainland Myanmar to work, and more than 10 ethnic Chin people who accompanied them, on the Taungup-Padaung road.
 
They were arrested in Padaung Township, Bago Region,  earlier this month while leaving Arakan State, said a Taungup resident who was aware of the situation.
 
“Thirty-six Arakanese people from Taungup Township were among those arrested by the military regime. The remaining arrestees are local Chin people in Padaung Township. They have not been released yet,” the Taungup resident added.
 
Among the Arakanese arrestees are 12 from Doenwesan Village, nine from Yaypawgyi Village, six each from Yattawmu and Salu villages, and three from Peinhnesan Village.
 
The arrestees are currently being held at military camps in Nyaungchayhtauk Village and Okshitpin Town.
 
Local people in Arakan State are struggling to survive amid a lack of jobs and rising prices due to the regional military conflict. The situation drives many people in Arakan State to migrate abroad or to mainland Myanmar to work to support their families.
 
“People are facing a lot of hardship during this time. Jobs are scarce and people are unable to do their regular jobs,” said a young social activist in Arakan State. “Some people are selling their belongings to buy food, but how long can they last? When they run out of things to eat, they are finally ready to leave the region. Those who have gone abroad and to mainland Myanmar cannot be blamed. The situation is pushing them to go far away.”
 
The Arakan Army (AA) has issued an emergency plan to prevent locals from leaving Arakan State, and those who do attempt to do so are subject to arrest, but still they are leaving in various ways.
 
Locals who leave for overseas and mainland Myanmar are also being arrested at security checkpoints set up by the military regime outside Arakan State, and some are being sent to military training schools.
 
Sources say civilians are being caught up in an escalation of military activity as the junta conducts an offensive attack to recapture bases and military outposts it lost to the Arakan Army on the Taunup-Padaung road, with fighting ongoing.
 
“The military regime is continuously attacking the Arakan Army because it wants to regain lost military bases, including the Nyaungkyoe base.,” said a military source familiar with the situation on the ground. “Arakanese people should not use the Taungup-Padaung road at all. It is important to be aware because all civilians caught are being sent to military training schools.”
 
Since November 2023, the military regime has imposed a blockade on Arakan State, leaving locals struggling to make ends meet amid rising prices and job shortages.