Burmese military junta authorities arrested over 30 people in Sittwe and subjected them to interrogations and severe torture after two riot police personnel were killed by local youths during an altercation, said one among the arrested.

"We were not involved in the murder but the authorities arrested us because our homes are located near the scene of the incident in which riot policemen were murdered.  After the arrest, the authorities severely beat and tortured us while asking many questions about the murder," he said

The murder took place in Kathay Wra Ward in Sittwe on August 22.  Two riot policemen were stabbed to death by local youths during an altercation.  One victim has been identified as Sergeant Zaw Myo Tun, who died on the spot, while another unidentified victim died later at the general hospital in Sittwe.

Soon after the murder, the authorities arrested over 30 innocent people from the ward on accusations that they were involved in the crime.

"The whole of my body is still paining and I am now unable to walk for long after the riot policemen severely beat me up along with other innocent people soon after arresting us. They tortured me whenever I denied any involvement in the murder," he said.

People in the ward believe that the authorities know who committed the murder but arrested the local residents in retaliation.  "The authorities know who committed the murder because they told us that unless the real criminals are arrested all the arrestees will continue to be detained in the police lockup," the ward resident added.

The authorities later released the man and some of the other detainees after a 19-year-old youth, who allegedly committed the murder of the two riot police personnel were arrested by the police.

It was learnt that while many of the detainees were released by the authorities after the youth was arrested, three people, including two of the youths relatives,
remain in custody in the police lockup in Sittwe.