Narinjara News, 8 March 2023

Five businessmen from Ma Ei town under Taungup Township in Rakhine state went on the run after they were chargedby Ma Ei regional police under article 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act.

Following the temporary ceasefire with the Arakan Army (AA) on 26 November lastyear, the junta authorities stopped arresting Rakhine people with falseaccusations.

However, it happens for the first time that these five businessmen have been charged.

Those who have been issued arrest warrants include U Zana Lin from ward number3 of Ma Ei town along with U Tun Win, U Maung Tun Thein, U TinWin and U Tin Tun.

A source close to them informed that they were issued the warrants followingthe arrest of a local businessman on 14 November. So he might have given wronginformation about these five businessmen to the police as being associated withthe AA.

“The police named the businessmen clearly in the warrant, but their ages andalso father's names were put wrongly," added the source.

A businessman who isalso facing the arrest warrant talked to Narinjara News and disclosed that thewarrant was issued on 28 February, but he has no idea why such a warrant wasissued.

"I know nothing, but my name is there in the list. We all are now hidingin safe places to avoid the proceeding. Everyone is worried now," headded.

Despite the arrest warrant, their homes are yet to be searched or raided.