Narinjara News, 2August  2022

The situationturned tense in Kyauk Taw Township of Rakhine State following the arrest of two Arakan Army members and one civilian by the junta forces.

The militaries,stationed at ancient Maha Muni Pagoda of the township, picked up two AA members and one civilian whom is confirmed to be U Maung Saw Tha.

They werearrested from the Daw Sein's restaurant near north gate of the pagoda at around12 noon yesterday, said an eyewitness.

“The AA memberswere eating food at the restaurant. First the army personnel interrogated themand checked their phones. Later we saw, they were taken away towards thepagoda,” said the eyewitness, while talking to  Narinjara News.

A shopkeeper nearthe temple informed that the arrested AA members and the civilian were taken away by a car towards Sakakha no 9 military operation headquarters in the locality.

A resident nearthe pagoda disclosed that the situation turned tense in their area after thearrest as military vehicles started moving. Many soldiers have been deployed inthe area and they are checking the civilians in front of the pagoda.

"We are notreceiving phone calls now as the militaries are checking everyone near thepagoda including pilgrims and pedestrians,” he added.

However, thehighway road is not yet closed and the restaurants, other shops near the templeremain open.