Another police desertion reported on Maday Island

By Admin 09 Aug 2024

DMG Newsroom
9 August 2024, Kyaukphyu

A police officer providing security for China-backed projects on Maday Island in Arakan State’s Kyaukphyu Township has deserted, according to residents.

The police sub-lieutenant reportedly deserted on Wednesday night and his former colleagues are searching for him.

“We heard he fled around midnight. He did not bring any weapons. Other police are searching for him,” said a resident of Maday Island.

There are two police units on the island; one is the local police station responsible for law enforcement, and another provides security for the crude-oil terminals and pipelines.

A police constable from the local police station on Made Island defected to the Arakkha Army (AA) along with guns, bullets and grenades on July 17.

Another Maday Island resident said: “I notice that police assigned to this island have frequently run away since December. Junta soldiers would come to the island and question people whenever policemen ran away. Some male residents have gone into hiding after the latest case.”

DMG has learnt that at least four policemen have deserted from their positions in Made Island since the latest fighting, and some have surrendered to the AA.

Maday Island is made up of five villages with a population of over 3,000 people. The island hosts Chinese investments including Sino-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines stretching 500 miles through central Myanmar and Shan State to Yunnan Province.