August 2nd, 2022
The military council troops detained three local men from Kyauktaw Township in Arakan State, accusing them of having links with the United League for Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), according to locals.
On the morning of August 1st, the junta soldiers abducted them with the use of excessive force while they were preparing to eat their meals at a food shop in the front of Mahamuni Pagoda in Kyauktaw Township.
“Soldiers arrived there immediately as soon as they entered the shop. All other shops are closed. Noone dares to open the shops as they (soldiers) may be desperate,” a man who saw the incident says.
Three detainees are U Maung Saw Thar from Thayettabin village in Kyauktaw Township and two youths. The junta soldiers checked their mobile phones and then arrested them while they were preparing their meals, locals say.
U Maung Saw Thar is a motorbike taxi driver.
Mahamuni Pagoda is located beside Yangon-Sittwe road. The soldiers stationed in the compound of the pagoda frequently inspect pagoda-goers, locals say.
The junta soldiers and police members have been stationed in the compound of Mahamuni Pagoda for three years, locals say.
Sent by the NMG