Soung Zarchi — More than 500 local residents reportedly fled to downtown of Rambree and Sane towns under KyaukphyU Township as Tatmadaw troops raided their villages and even arresting some villagers.

The affected villages are  Kalapon, Myo Chwein, Mawron, Ngo Kaing in Kalapon village-tract, said a young social worker from Rambree town.

“The soldiers suddenly entered the village and arrested some residents. So the scared villagers left their places and  took refuge in Rambree. They are presently taking shelter in Rambree monasteries,” he added.

Currently there are about 400 refugees in Rambree town taking shelter in  Taung Kyung monastery, Tan Na Pyin monastery and Le Gyi Pyin monastery.

Around 160 civilians are taking shelter in Taungoo Su and Kan Pyin Su monasteries in Sane town.

The township administrator U Ko Ko Nay Lin Kyaing informed Narinjara news that the villagers fled from Rambree township. Some of them are living in their relatives’ homes in Sane town. Some other are staying in two monasteries.

On 2 November, five youths from Myo Chwein village under  Rambree township were arrested suspecting their links with Arakan Army members after an army column entered Myo Chwein village in Kalapon island.

They are identified as Aung Htay Win (19 years old),  Nyi Sit (b) Nyi Htwe (18), Tun Min Soe (24), Ko Sun Ye Htet (15), and Soe Maung Chay (25), said the village abbot Sayadaw U Nyan Thar.

A villager who fled to Taung Kyung monastery admitted that they were scared of military atrocities.

A few days back, around  1,000 people from villages like Thaing Chaung, Zai Chaung, Pyar Gwine, Thaphu Taung, Achun,  Thaphan Kha , Tada Oo, Chaung Phya, Kyung Chaung, etc  fled to  downtown areas of Kyaukphyu.

Tatmadaw troops also entered into Aung Lan Chain village yesterday where from many villagers fled.

Earlier this month, AA members detained three Burmese soldiers and attacked on some naval vessels in the area.  Soon after the incident, the security forces conducted the operation, said a local expert.