Three police officers, including the station commander, stationed at the Territory 5 border police station in Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State, abandoned their posts , during the evening hours of July 3rd according to locals.
The identities of the fleeing police officers, including a station commander, a detective officer, and a junior officer, are not known yet. "The news of their escape is indeed accurate. The reasons behind their departure, however remain unknown at this time”, a Ngakhuya villager told Narinjara.
On the night of July 3rd, U Si Rat, the administrator of Oosheinkya a Muslim village, who faced accusations of being involved in a robbery in Maungdaw the previous year, managed to escape from police custody. There are widespread speculations that the police fled due to their fear of facing prosecution after the prisoner under their charge successfully escaped.
"It is indeed true that a Muslim detainee, who was held in custody for robbery, managed to escape. This is most likely the reason why the police officers stationed at the station fled”, the aforementioned villager said.
At Ngakhuya Police Station, approximately 40 policemen are stationed. On the afternoon of July 4th, a substantial contingent of Military Council troops arrived and kept the station bustling with constant movement, as they were actively coming and going throughout the premises, the source added.
"The soldiers are busy inside the police station compound, but they are not questioning the local people”, he said.
A local education staff member also verified to Narinjara that approximately 100 soldiers stationed in the Kyeinchaung and Kyeekanpyin areas assembled and departed for Ngakhuya village. They were observed to be equipped with full weapons and gear, traveling in around five vehicles. The staff member further speculated that this swift mobilization might be connected to the issue of police desertion.
In Rakhine State, there is a recurring occurrence of border police and Junta troops deserting their posts. On March 6th, four recently graduated rookie policemen fled the Myinhlut border police outpost in Maungdaw Township, taking their weapons with them.
