The military junta has reportedly released about 50 of approximately 200 detained residents of Min Gan Ward in Sittwe – Arakan State’s capital.
They include people who signed a pledge and others who paid 200,000-700,000 kyat. They were released after 18 June.
“Some of them had to pay money. Some were released only after they signed a pledge. We heard that they were told to report if the Arakan Army (AA) entered their village,” said a person close to those arrested.
The junta released the residents of Min Gan from Dar Paing (Muslim) village in Sittwe Township, Sittwe-based Infantry Battalion 20, Police Battalion 20, and the Regional Operations Commands.
The junta troops entered Min Gan Ward with 10 military vehicles on 16 June and arrested about 200 residents from Blocks 5, 8, 9, and 10, going from house to house.
Those who have not yet been released include people who could not afford to pay and most young and middle-aged people. Their families are worried as they have no contact with them.
“They arrested my brother-in-law. We haven’t heard anything from him since the day he was arrested. We don’t even know where he is being held,” said one family member.
Fearing possible fighting, most Sittwe residents have now fled to safer places. However, low-income residents are stuck in the city due to financial constraints and road closures, facing arrests and extortion by the military junta troops.
In addition, the military junta has forcibly relocated thousands of residents from 12 villages near Sittwe to within the city in recent days.
“The military council is instilling fear in the hope that they can do whatever they want with the people under their control. Out of insecurity, they are arresting anyone they deem suspicious. So those who are still in Sittwe are in a completely unsafe situation,” said a social activist.
Also on 29 May, junta troops arrested more than 300 residents of Sut Yoe Kya Ward and Byaing Phyu village in Sittwe, killed and hid the bodies of 76 people, and filed charges against some others.
Sittwe hosts not only the Arakan State’s state administration council office but also the military junta’s ROC, IBs 20, 232 and 270, LIBs 344, 354, and Police Battalions 12 and 36. The junta troops have also laid mines around the city’s perimeter.
Sent by Aung Htein (DMG).