NarinjaraNews, 24 October 2022

At least 18 localresidents of Rambree in KyaukPhyu district of Rakhine State have been arrested by themilitary council troops since 21 September. Some of the arrested civilians areaccused of maintaining links with the Arakan Army members, who are waging a waragainst the Burmese militarycouncil.

Butmany civilians, who have not committed any crime or maintained any affiliationto AA are also detained by the army personnel.

"Ifanybody even falsely reports that a certain individual is connected to AA, heor she will be arrested immediately. Later the soldiers try to negotiate withtheir families for some prices. For their release, one may have to pay Kyats 8to 20 lakh. This is the situation prevailing at Rambree,” said a person who hadexperienced such situations.

Afamily member of an arrested residenttold Narinjara News that they are currentlynegotiating with the armyauthority for his release, who is presently in Rambree police custody.

Withoutconsidering the financial capabilities, the soldiers demand the money for thefamily members. Even when there is no evidence against a resident, he may bearrested and asked for money against his release by the army personnel.

“Thesoldiers often conduct raids in search of AA members and theirsympathisers. People are now afraid of patrolling soldiers. It’seven worse than the robbery,” said a local resident.

“Inmany cases, people pay the money and makethem free from the custody of soldiers,” he stated, addingthat they are warned to keep silent over the matter.

Asmany as 150 people in Rakhine State have been arrested bythe junta forces and some of them even chargedunder article 505(a)(b) and article 17(1) of the terrorism act.

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