Families say six high school students detained by DLEPS in Kyauktaw

By Admin 21 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

21 July 2026, Kyauktaw

Six Grade 11 and Grade 12 students were taken from their homes in Kyauktaw, Arakan State, by officials from the Department of Law Enforcement and Public Security (DLEPS) and ward administrators for questioning, and have since remained out of contact, according to their families.

The students have been identified as Maung Bo Nyein Tun, 17, Maung Hein Lin Soe, 17, a 16-year-old student who requested anonymity, and Maung Zaw Zaw Aung, 19, from Pyidawtha Ward; Maung Aung Myat Tun, 16, from Myothit Ward; and Maung Myo Aung Soe, 17, from Paikthae Ward.

Family members said the students were taken between late June and early July for questioning, but the reason for their continued detention remains unknown.

Daw Hla Myint Yi, the mother of Grade 12 student Maung Bo Nyein Tun, said DLEPS personnel, Arakan Army members and ward administrators searched their home on July 8. After learning that her son was attending classes, they instructed the family to bring him to their office, where he was detained without explanation. She said officials later told the family to bring him clothes, but they have received no information about him since that day.

A 16-year-old Grade 11 student from Pyidawtha Ward was also taken on July 8.

On the same day, Maung Aung Myat Tun, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student from Myothit Ward, was detained by DLEPS officers who arrived in a vehicle while he was visiting his uncle's house after school, according to his mother, Daw Nyo Nyo Aye.

"He was crying as he was put into the car. I went from one office to another looking for him," Daw Nyo Nyo Aye said. "Later, the ward office told me to bring his clothes, but I didn't send them yet. When I later saw him in front of the office, we both cried. Someone asked if we had seen each other and said the vehicle would leave once we finished. Our son is only in Grade 11. I just want him back so he can attend school."

Families said they still do not know why the students were detained or where they are being held. Amid ongoing recruitment by the Arakan Army across Arakan State, parents said they fear their children could be conscripted.

U Ye Shwe Maung, the father of detained student Maung Hein Lin Soe, said officials had assured the family his son would be released after questioning, but they have had no contact with him since. He added that his 17-year-old son has health problems and appealed to senior authorities to release him.

Under the National Defence Emergency Provision (NDEP) issued by the Arakan Army, students aged 18 and above who are enrolled in Grade 11, Grade 12 or university are eligible for temporary deferment from military service.

The provision also grants temporary deferment to education and health staff serving under the United League of Arakan (ULA), sole breadwinners supporting their families, and people whose family members are serving in or have died while serving in the Arakan Army.

DMG contacted Arakan Army spokesperson U Khaing Thukha for comment on the detention of the students and the reasons behind it, but had not received a response at the time of publication.