More than 80 local residents of Kyaukphyu Township in Arakan State are still being held by the military council, according to sources.
Since the start of the war in Arakan State, the military council has arrested over 200 local people in Kyaukphyu Township. While more than 100 have been released, at least 82 local residents remain detained.
Among those arrested are politicians, activists, members of social organizations, ordinary civilians and underage children.
“They have been in detention for approximately three months. I don’t know why they were arrested. I don’t know if they are alive or dead. When we went to the police station to inquire about them, we were told that the arrests conducted by the army had nothing to do with the police. So, they have no authority to provide any information,” said a family member of a detainee.
Some of the arrested individuals have been charged under Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, but it is unclear under which specific section they have been charged. Some detainees appeared in court in the past, but later they stopped appearing, without any further information provided, said the members of families.
A woman whose son was arrested said, “My son was arrested when he encountered a military column while he was going to the forests to search for vegetables. I don’t know where he is being held. I can’t travel to town to inquire about him because the road is closed. I worry about my son every day.”
Based on inquiries, the Kyaukphyu locals who were arrested are being held in Light Infantry Battalion-542, Light Infantry Battalion-543, and Infantry Battalion 34, as well as in prison, without being allowed to meet their families. Since the beginning of the Arakan conflict, the military council has been constantly violating human rights standards through targeted oppression against local residents.
“The military should inform the families about why they were arrested. They should appear before the court, and the case should be thoroughly investigated regardless of the section under which they are charged. Now the military is acting according to its own will. The military is torturing them. They are doing it with the help of weapons,Ó said an activist woman from Kyaukphyu.
Regarding the arrests of Kyaukphyu residents, Development Media Group (DMG) attempted to contact Major General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson of the military council, and U Hla Thein, spokesperson of the Arakan State Administration Council, but was unsuccessful in reaching them.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG)