Junta navy detains, severely beats three fishermen in Myebon Twsp

By Admin 05 Oct 2026

DMG Newsroom

5 October 2026, Myebon

Three local fishermen from Myebon Township were detained and severely beaten with bamboo sticks by the junta navy while fishing at sea in Arakan State.

The incident occurred on the evening of October 2 while the fishermen were operating in coastal waters near the border of Myebon and Kyaukphyu townships.

"They were fishing in the sea towards Kyaukphyu Township from our village," a male resident of Myebon Township said. "As this area is close to Kyaukphyu, junta warships frequently navigate through here. They were detained in the waters bordering Myebon and Kyaukphyu townships. Fortunately, they were not killed."

The three detained fishermen were identified as 53-year-old boat owner U Kyaw Tun Tha, 26-year-old Ko Zaw Zaw Tun and 28-year-old Ko Aung Min Thein from Kyunthayar Village in Myebon Township.

Upon capture, military personnel forced boat owner U Kyaw Tun Tha to lie face down on board a junta warship before repeatedly striking his back and calves with a 3-foot-long bamboo stick. Ko Zaw Zaw Tun and Ko Aung Min Thein were also subjected to aggressive interrogation and physical beatings.

The military navy subsequently released all three fishermen following the beatings.

The military's ongoing harassment and interception of fishing vessels at sea have heightened concerns over livelihoods and safety among local communities across Myebon Township.

"People in this area depend primarily on the fishing industry for their survival," a female resident of Myebon Township said. "Hearing reports of fishing boats being seized causes extreme anxiety, and residents also fear potential military troops landing ashore."

U Kyaw Tun Tha suffered severe back injuries from the beating, Ko Aung Min Thein sustained critical injuries to his right leg, and Ko Zaw Zaw Tun suffered severe bodily trauma.

On September 17, junta navy vessels opened fire with heavy artillery on two Muslim fishing boats operating in the waters off Werathani Township, destroying both vessels in flames and detaining eight Muslim fishermen.

Intense clashes between the military regime and the Arakan Army continue around Kyaukphyu and Sittwe, with military warships actively patrolling coastal waters and frequently detaining local fishermen across Arakan State.