Regime detains dozens of residents in Arakan State capital

By Admin 08 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
8 January 2024, Sittwe

Myanmar’s military regime forcibly detained about 60 residents in the Arakan State capital Sittwe on January 7.

The regime arrested about 40 local residents in Thonesaung Village, on the outskirts of the state capital, and 20 cargo workers at BXT port, according to eyewitnesses.

“Regime soldiers in three military trucks first raided Sat Yoe Kya Ward and then took dozens of locals from Thonesaung Village,” said an eyewitness from Thonesaung Village.

About 100 junta soldiers in three military trucks raided Sat Yoe Kya Ward and Thonesaung Village and arrested dozens of people on suspicion, Sittwe residents told DMG.

The arrestees earn a living as cargo workers at Shwe Min Gan Port in Sittwe, said a resident of Thonesaung Village.

“Regime soldiers conducted checks on people on sight, and took the suspects. I don’t know where they were taken,” the Thonesaung villager said.

The regime also arrested about 20 cargo workers and locals from other townships at BXT port on the same day.

“Some people coming to Sittwe to buy commodities were arrested by junta soldiers and Arakan Liberation Party members. We are more afraid of ALP members than junta soldiers,” said a ferry boatman in Sittwe.

When DMG contacted ALP chairwoman Saw Mya Yarzar Lin about the arrests of civilians by ALP members and junta soldiers, her assistant replied: “She is busy. I will contact you when I am free.”

ALP spokesperson Major Khaing Thurein told DMG in July 2023 that they are cooperating with local regime authorities in law enforcement operations in Arakan State.

The regime has made a series of arrests of civilians in Sittwe since renewed fighting in Arakan State began on November 13.

Some 170 locals in Sittwe have been arrested by the regime since renewed fighting in Arakan State began. The vast majority have not yet been formally charged, while some have been prosecuted under Sections 505(a) and (b) of the Penal Code and or Section 17(1) and (2) of the Unlawful Associations Act.