Some Sittwe residents detained while fleeing Arakan capital released

By Admin 26 Apr 2024

DMG Newsroom
26 April 2024, Sittwe

Some out of more than 100 Sittwe residents detained by the regime while fleeing from the Arakan State capital have been released, according to family members.

Among those who were freed were ordinary civilians as well as municipal employees and education workers, who were released after paying some money to the junta soldiers.

“My two family members were among those released by the regime two days ago. Both of them are employees from the Department of Education. We paid K200,000 each to junta soldiers for the release of the two family members,” said a family member of one detainee who was released.

Some 200 residents attempted to flee Sittwe by boat on April 20 for fear that fighting might soon break out between the regime and Arakkha Army (AA) in the town. They were shot at and stopped by junta troops deployed on Kantkaw Island.  

Three were killed and around 10 others were injured when they stepped on landmines while fleeing the junta’s indiscriminate shooting. More than 100 people were arrested. The regime is also demanding compensation from those detained for the detonated landmines.

“The regime told us that all those detained must collectively pay compensation for the detonated mines. The regime told us that we must pay compensation of K2 million per mine. But I am not sure if the people who have been released now paid K200,000 for the mine that exploded or for what?” said a family member of another released former detainee.

As family members continue to be unable to contact those arrested by the military, they are worried about the safety of the detainees.

“My relatives are among those arrested by the military. They were detained while fleeing to Mrauk-U. We cannot contact them. I don’t know how to contact them,” said another affected relative.

Residents have been leaving Sittwe and Kyaukphyu towns after the AA chief told them to evacuate as the ethnic armed group was preparing for a decisive battle.

The regime has gone to extreme lengths to deter residents from leaving, including destroying boats and firing shots at people on sight.