The military junta has arrested 11 displaced people from Arakan State in Yegyi Township, Ayayarwady Region, on suspicion of links to the Arakha Army (AA), according to reports.
Junta soldiers arrested these displaced people in Myauk San village in Yegyi Township on 16 June, where they had been taking shelter, according to locals.
A Yegyi resident said: “The junta’s artillery battalion came and arrested 11 Arakanese displaced people in Myauk San, accusing them of being AA informants. From what we’ve heard, they were arrested because junta informants in Myauk San complained that they were passing information to the AA.”
The detainees, originally from Kyaukphyu and Gwa Townships, include eight men and three women. They are currently being held at the artillery base in Myauk San, sources confirmed.
Since the second week of June, the AA and allied forces have been launching offensives against the Artillery Battalion 344, based in Myauk San village.
Arakan IDPs in Ayeyarwady say that since the attacks on the artillery base began, the junta has been detaining and interrogating them on suspicion, leaving them feeling unsafe.
“In Yegyi and Lay Myet Hnar, the junta looks at displaced people from Arakan State with distrust and suspicion. We live in constant fear that they’ll arrest us for any reason,” said an Arakanese woman taking shelter in Yegyi Township.
Due to ongoing clashes in Arakan State, thousands of residents from townships including Kyaukphyu, Taungup, Thandwe, and Gwa have fled to Ayeyarwady Region seeking safety.
Arakan IDPs in Ayeyarwady report that frequent arrests and interrogations by the junta have compounded their struggles, adding security threats to their already dire challenges of securing basic needs.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG).