More than 40 residents of Mingan Ward in Arakan (Rakhine) State have been charged by the junta under Section 17(A) of the Unlawful Association Act, accused of having links with the Arakha Army (AA), DMG has learned.
On June 16, junta troops raided Mingan Ward, blindfolded and took away around 200 residents living in blocks No. 5, 8, 9, and 10. Of those, 40 are now facing charges.
“He was charged under the Unlawful Association Act after being accused of having connections with the AA. The plaintiff is a Major”, according to a family member of one of the charged individuals speaking to DMG. The trial hearing for those charged is scheduled for July 11.
Approximately 200 individuals detained were dispersed among Darpai Muslim Village, the 20th Light Infantry Battalion, the 12th Police Station, and the Regional Command Headquarters in Sittwe Township. Following interrogation, the majority of them were released.
“Many were released; some escaped after paying bribes, while others were compelled to sign promise letters. The arbitrary arrests and prosecutions of locals are entirely unacceptable, leaving everyone feeling insecure”, a Mingan resident said.
Due to the looming threat of conflict, many residents of Sittwe have already evacuated. However, those who remain, trapped by road closures and financial constraints, face abuses such as arrests, extortion, and lawsuits by junta troops.
“Even though I haven't committed any crime, I feel insecure all the time, knowing I could be arrested without any reason. I also suffer from a lot of sleepless nights. The burden of feeling insecure prevails all the time”, a Sittwe resident said.
On May 29, in Sattyoekya Ward (formerly known as Byianphyu Village) in Sittwe Township, junta troops arrested over 300 residents and massacred 76 of them. Some of those arrested have been charged and remain out of contact with their families.
Furthermore, the junta forces forcibly evicted residents from 14 villages around Sittwe and established garrisons there.
The junta has placed mines around the regional command, the 20th, 232nd, and 270th infantry battalions, the 344th and 354th light infantry battalions, and the 12th and 36th police battalions in Sittwe, the state-level administrative hub of the junta, as well as in the outskirt areas of the town.
