Arakanese social worker writer Wai Hin Aung and his crew face military detention for assisting storm victims

The military council forces have arrested noted Arakanese social worker and writer Wai Hin Aung and his crew for assisting and delivering relief to local people affected by the cyclone Mocha in Rakhine State.

According to an eyewitness, they were apprehended by military personnel from a nearby place to Amyint Kyunt  village under Sittwe township beyond the Kyauk Tan checkpoint at around 10 am on Tuesday.

Besides Wai Hin Aung, the arrestees include his daughter and some young people.

"A military car followed them and finally arrested them while they were traveling in a relief car. I have no idea about the reasons for their arrest,” he stated.

A close friend of the writer, who also works in charity, confirmed his detention along with some other individuals.  He too has no idea about the reason behind the arrest.

“He was arrested while going to delivering relief to cyclone affected families,” said  U Khaing Kaung San, director of Wanllet Foundation.

Even if the authorities have apprehended them, the concerned family members should be informed about the arrest and also the specific reason behind the action. Moreover, the authorities should permit the families to talk to them, he added.

It’s also not known where Wai Hin Aung and his team have been kept by the military authorities.