At least seven people were arrested by the Myanmar military in Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, in the second week of this month alone, according to locals.
The military detained seven residents across five Kyaukphyu wards from September 7 to 12.
Around 20 junta soldiers abducted Ko Phyo Min Tun aka Phyo Lay, a 29-year-old man, from his home in Pyinphyumaw Ward on September 11, said a source close to the detainee.
“The junta soldiers brought a photo of the detainee [Ko Phyo Min Tun] at the time of the arrest. I don’t know the reason for the arrest. Some men in plainclothes were among the junta soldiers who came to arrest him,” the source explained.
When DMG contacted U Khin Maung Tun, the administrator of Pyinphyumaw Ward, for comment on the military’s detention of Ko Phyo Min Tun, he replied that he was busy.
Three other local men, meanwhile, were reportedly taken from their homes in downtown Kyaukphyu by military personnel on September 7. The arrestees have been identified as Ko Win Naing, 29, from Ceditaung Ward, Salai Ko Aye aka Kahi, 43, from Asoeya Ward and U Ba Than, a 42-year-old man from Paikseik Ward.
The Myanmar military also detained Ko Win Aung and U Tin Nyunt from Kyaukphyu’s Kulabataung Ward, and U Soe Win Naing from Paikseik Ward, on September 12.
The latter six men were abducted by junta soldiers from the military’s Kyaukphyu-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 34 for questioning, residents said.
Locals are worried about their safety due to the military’s recent arrests, said a resident of Kyaukphyu town who declined to be named for security reasons.
“We are concerned for our safety and dare not go outside at night for fear of being arrested. If we go outside at night, we will be interrogated by the junta soldiers. We cannot run our business conveniently,” the resident added.
DMG attempted to contact Major-General Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the regime, and Colonel Kyaw Thura, Arakan State Minister for Security and Border Affairs, seeking comment on the detention of the residents in Kyaukphyu, but they could not be reached.
Fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army has been ongoing in Arakan State. Multiple civilians in the state have been arrested by the military on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army and face charges under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision.
