Taungup families concerned about detained relatives

By Admin 07 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
7 October 2024, Taungup

Family members are worried about the fate of at least a dozen residents in Taungup Township, Arakan State, as they have not been in contact with them since they were arrested by Myanmar's military regime, according to sources close to the families.

U Win Maung, a 36-year-old man from Thadon Village, was detained at a junta security checkpoint near the University of Taungup at around 10 a.m. on October 3 while he was returning home.

"He [U Win Maung] was reportedly taken to a military regiment in Taungup. Family members have not been able to contact him yet," said a source close to his family.

Dr. Kyaw Thura Tun was abducted from his home in Taungup's Chaungkauk Ward on September 6. He was taken to the military's Light Infantry Battalion No. 544 and family members have not been in contact with him since.

About 10 residents were arrested at the Kyoe Kyar Kwin security checkpoint in Taungup from August 20-27, and their whereabouts remain unknown.

"No detainee has been released since the regime prepared a defence in Taungup. Families have not been in contact with the detainees since their arrests," said a local source.

The junta has set up additional security checkpoints in Taungup since the last week of June, tightening security checks on passersby and arresting some residents.

The regime has made a series of arrests of civilians at four security checkpoints in Taungup in recent days, local residents said.

"Junta soldiers at security checkpoints extort money from passersby. If the junta soldiers did not agree with locals, they would ask them to take off their clothes and check them," said a social activist in Taungup.

At least 20 local residents have been arrested in Taungup Township since the latest fighting between regime and Arakkha Army (AA) forces began in November of last year.

There have been no hostilities between the military and AA in Taungup Township in recent days, but the regime has prepared a defence in Taungup, which has been besieged by the AA.