4 Arakanese people, arrested in connection with AA, released

Narinjara News, 2 January 2023

The military council released four people, who were arrested on suspicion of being involved with the Arakan Army (AA) yesterday.

Among them, two are identified as U Galon and another medical officer, both of whom were arrested on 1 August from the historic Maha Muni pagoda locality in Kyauk Taw township.

"Yesterday (1 Jan) at around 9 am, two people were released. One more villager was arrested with them, and he is yet to be released," said a family member of U Galon.

U Galon, a local healer, and U Maung Sawtha from Tharet Tapin village were arrested from the pagoda’s northern gate by the army personnel stationed there after checking their phone sets.

Three people were arrested together, and they were tortured during the interrogation of the Kyauk Taw-based Sakaha (9).

The third one is still in custody and has been sued for 17(1) unlawful acts.

The other two individuals, who were arrested on 1 November from the Kying Chaung border guard checkpoint in northern Maungdaw township while returning on a motorcycle from Mingalar Nyunt village, are identified as Ma Aye Mya Sanda and Ko Maung Maung Kyaw.

Ma Aye Mya Sanda from Prai Taw Village under Min Bya township and Ko Maung Maung Kyaw from Aung Thaye village under Maungdaw township was released yesterday.

Ma Aye Mya Sanda’s brother Ko Myo Chan Nyein said, "My sister along with Ko Maung Maung Kyaw was released yesterday at around 10 am. She was released from the Kyin Chaung checkpoint. She has already arrived at a relative's house in Maungdaw with good health."

Mentionable is that Ma Aye Mya Sanda is a tenth-standard student to participate in the coming matriculation exam this year.

There are hundreds of Rakhine people, who were suspected to be involved with the AA, who are still in military custody.