NarinjaraNews,  24 October 2022

At least 20 local residentsof Buthidaung town market were arrested by the Myanmar militarycouncil forces on Sunday with no specific reason.

The arrested individuals aremostly Rakhine (Buddhist) and Muslim daily wage earners, teashop owner and workers who were picked up bythe military personnel and taken away by their vehicles. Thereason for their arrest is still not known, said a localresident.

Over 20 soldiers arrivedat the city market by the military vehicles at around 12 pm andtook the residents away, added the resident.

Among the arrestees, there areseven Muslim villagers.

Itis the first occasion, where the military personnel havearrested several local residents from Buthidaung, which is around 80 miles north of the State capital cityof Sittwe. 

Two arrestees namely U NayKyauk Khay and U Naing U are identified as just ordinary porters.

"They were carryingfish-cans and were arrested without any fault of theirs. They were takento number one military strategy based in Buthidaung,”asserted the resident.

As theArakan (Rakhine) Army members havebeen fighting against the Myanmar forces in Buthidaung township too, theauthority continues to be in tension for weeks.