20 people arrested in Rakhine State, one died in junta custody

Narinjara News, 17 October 2022

During the last three days, more than 20 people were arrested by the military council in Rakhine State and one of them died in the junta custody.

Those arrested during 14 to 16 October include two individuals from Maungdaw township, two from Ann, one from Mrauk U along with 12 from Rambree and 6 from Taungup township.

U Hla Thein (35 years old) and U Tun Lin Kyaw (b) Nyi Nyi (42) were arrested from Maungdaw and they are associated with Township Gruna Network. They are currently under section 17(1) of the unlawful association act.

The Mrauk U resident named U Kyaw Thein (53) was picked up from Nyaung Pin Zee ward.

Local eyewitnesses said that the military council troops entered UKyaw Thein’s newly opened restaurant titled Daw Nu Nu in the Worl Treasure Bank of Kyat Zee market in Mrauk U township and arrested him. The military personnel also confiscated about 50 bottles of alcohol from the restaurant.

From Ann township, they arrested U Myo Myint Zaw (b) U Bra Gyi (40) and Daw Nyo Nyo (42).

Mentionable is that U Myo Myint Zaw was arrested in Taung Maw village under Ann township at about 8 am on 15 October  and he was captured by firing by the soldiers after entering into the village with a private car. He got sustained injuries in the firing and Later he died of torture in the military custody.

He is also said to be a deputy district commander of Rakhine National League (ULA).

Villagers said that Daw Nyo Nyo was arrested from Yayaung village under Ann township.

Rambre residents, who are arrested include U Kow Min Han (38, a  car workshop owner),  Maung Myo Aung Than (19), U Thet Naing Tun (b) Maung Maung (34), U Myo Min (b) Baba Gyi (34), Ko Peu Phyo Aung (24), U Ko Ko Aung (36, a three-wheeler driver), U San Lin (58), U Tun Tun Aung (38), Maung Naing Lin Oo (18 ), U Soepain (45 ), U Khin Maung Shwe (37) and Ko Min Thant Lwin (27).

Local residents informed that the arrest took place following the abduction of a former Myanmar Army captain (U Tun Kyi) by Arakan Army (AA) members from Rambre town.

The arrested Taungup residents are U Than Ngyu (56), U Kyaw Yin (64), U Hang Aung (65), U La Ni Aung, U Tin Pe and U Than Nu.

U Than Ngyu, U Kyaw Yin and U Hang Aung were picked up by a group of uniformed soldiers, who came by a car to Saka Kha (5), the military planning bureau. One of them was released on 14 October.

Similarly, in Paletwa township of Chin State, two Arakanese brothers namely Ko Maung San Phyo (25) and U Soe Hla (29), who were working as stonemasons, were handcuffed by the military council soldiers on 13 and 14 October. A family member alleged that they were taken away with their faces covered and beaten up on the street by the soldiers.