Over the two months from May 1 to June 30 in Sittwe Township, Arakan (Rakhine) State, the junta arrested at least 700 locals, with only around 300 released, according to DMG-compiled lists.
Some of the 400 people still in detention have been indicted by the junta, with legal charges filed against them. However, their family members are not informed of the charges or their whereabouts.
“Those with Arakan-related tattoos were not released by the soldiers at all. Eight people in our village are still under arrest, and their families cannot contact them. Family members did not dare to approach the soldiers to investigate”, reported a resident of Amyintkyun Village, who’s relative was recently released from junta detention.
On June 22, junta soldiers arrested 46 residents of Amyintkyun Village in Sittwe, releasing all but eight on July 3.
In Sittwe, junta troops have been conducting surprise raids in villages, arresting individuals they deem suspicious, and carrying out mass arrests under the guise of checking overnight guest lists.
"Some have been released while others haven't. Some are facing charges under Section 17(A), accused by the junta of ties to the Arakha Army (AA) despite their innocence”, a woman from Sittwe’s Mingan Ward reported.
Following the junta's arrest of around 200 locals in Mingan on June 16, about 150 were released, while the remaining 50 were charged under Article 17(A) of Unlawful Associations Act.
In Byaiphyu Village, where a massacre by junta troops occurred, family members are deeply concerned because they have no information about over 100 villagers who were arrested and taken away by the regime forces.
Last month, the junta compelled residents from 14 villages around Sittwe to relocate to downtown areas. These individuals are now grappling with livelihood crises and heightened security concerns.
“Due to severe oppression and various forms of bullying by junta troops, Sittwe has become an inhospitable place to live. Soldiers have closed roads and subjected the local population to arbitrary mistreatment. The situation for the town's residents is deeply concerning”, an Arakanese political analyst remarked.
While clashes have not yet erupted in Sittwe, military tensions are escalating as the junta tightens security and AA blocks the town's logistic routes.
