The Arakan People’s Authority, under the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) has indicated that some people involved in a brawl at the Eain Phyu Taw (White House) KTV in Sittwe’s Anaut Sanpya ward, along with the owner of the KTV venue, are being investigated.

A video from the incident that went viral on social media allegedly shows KTV staff members assaulting three customers and a melee ensuing.

The Arakan People’s Authority said in a statement on November 16 that it was detaining those involved in the incident to deter similar incidents in future and to ensure accountability.

The owner of  Eain Phyu Taw KTV, U Thein Shwe aka U Thein Lwin, was arrested at a Kathina robe offering ceremony in Amyintkyun village, Sittwe Township, on November 7.

“He [U Thein Shwe] and two others were arrested while having lunch at a Kathina robe offering ceremony. He owns backhoes and runs other businesses,” said a source close to U Thein Shwe.

U Thein Shwe, a man in his 50s, ran as an Arakan State Hluttaw candidate in Sittwe Township Constituency No. 1 representing the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in the 2020 general elections, but he lost that race to an Arakan National Party (ANP) opponent.

The KTV case in Sittwe has been filed with the Justice Department of the United League of Arakan, and similar complaints have been received in connection with the incident, the November 16 statement said.

According to the Arakan People’s Authority, people in Arakan State can file a complaint with the authority if they are or have been victims of abuse or harassment.