The military council arrested about 60 civilians in Sittwe, the Arakan State’s capital, on 7 January, using a substantial force, according to eyewitness accounts.
Witnesses said the junta rounded up about 40 people from Thone Saung village in Sittwe Township and about 20 people, including workers from the BTX jetty.
“They inspected Sut Yoe Kya Ward first. They came in three military vehicles. They didn’t arrest anyone from Byaing Phyu village but from Thone Saung,” said a local eyewitness from Thone Saung village.
Residents of Sittwe said about 100 junta soldiers entered Sut Yoe Kya Ward and Byaing Phyu village and arrested people they thought were suspicious.
Those arrested are workers from the Shwe Min Gan jetty in Sittwe Township, said another resident of Thone Saung village.
“They asked for the names of people they met on their way. They questioned them and took them away in their vehicles. Where they were taken to is still not yet known,” the resident said.
On the same day, the military council arrested about 20 other local civilians, among them were jetty workers, and shoppers from other townships, residents said.
A barge operator from Sittwe said: “They also arrested people who came from the villages to buy supplies. The military council soldiers made the arrests in coordination with Arakan Liberation Party (ALP) soldiers. Here in Sittwe, people are more afraid of ALP soldiers than junta soldiers.”
When Daw Saw Mra Yazar Lin, chairperson of the ALP, was contacted regarding allegations that the ALP was working with the military council to arrest locals, her Personal Staff Officer (PSO) replied, “The chairperson is busy with work. We’ll will call you back when we have time to talk about this issue.”
In July 2023, Major Khaing Thurein, spokesperson of the Secretary Office of the ALP led by Daw Saw Mra Yazar Lin, said the ALP was working with the regional authorities of the military council on law enforcement.
Locals said the military council has been arresting locals in Arakan State on a daily basis since fighting began in the state on 13 November, with more arrests seen in Sittwe compared to other towns.
Since 7 January, more than 170 locals have been arrested, and some of them have been charged under Section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, including Sections 505(a) and 505(b) of the Penal Code.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)