5 Ma Ei town businessmen on the run after arrest warrants

Narinjara News, 8 March 2023

Five businessmen from Ma Ei town under Taungup Township in Rakhine state went on the run after they were charged by 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 last year, the junta authorities stopped arresting Rakhine people with false accusations.

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 number 3 of Ma Ei town along with U Tun Win, U Maung Tun Thein, U Tin Win and U Tin Tun.

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

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

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

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

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