The military council arrested nine Arakanese people, including women, who had fled to Yegyi Township in the Ayeyarwady Region, on suspicion of having connections to the Arakha Army (AA).
The individuals arrested are displaced people from Gwa and Ann Townships in Arakan State, consisting of six men and three women.
According to sources close to the detainees, they were arrested by junta soldiers from Artillery Battalion-344, stationed near Gwa-Ngathaingchaung, on the afternoon of 22 January.
A source close to the detainees stated, “The individuals arrested are displaced people from Arakan State—four from Ann Township and five from Gwa Township. They were detained on suspicion of having ties to the AA during interrogation.”
The detainees fled to Myauk San village in Yegyi Township to take shelter, he said.
According to those close to the arrested individuals, they have not been able to contact them since the arrests, and it is unclear where they are being held.
Following the AA’s offensives, the military council has arrested and is interrogating over 50 civilians who fled from Arakan State to Kyonpyaw and Yegyi Townships in January of this year.
Similarly, the displaced people have expressed concern as the military council has intensified guest list checks, arrests, and checks.
On 8 December 2024, the military council arrested around 20 people displaced from Arakan State, near Ngayokekaung in Pathein Township in Ayeyawady Region.
According to estimates from those helping the displaced, the military council has detained at least 70 civilians who were displaced from Arakan State, in Ayeyarwady Region.
Sent by Narinjara