Boatmen beaten by soldiers accusing to be AA members

A group of civilian boatmen in Kyauk Phyu Township in Rakhine (Arakan) State were allegedly beaten by the junta soldiers accusing them to be members of the Arakan Army (AA).

About 10 soldiers of the military council came with motorcycles to the boats docked at Japan Ma harbor at about 9 pm on 28  June and inspected the boatmen along with other people there.

The junta forces also checked the list of civilians along with their name and addresses.

Later accusing the boatmen of being AA members, the army personnel forced them to follow military drills. Those who refused to do so were beaten, said a boatman who wanted anonymity.

"The soldiers asked if we were from the AA. I said no. They asked me to be attentive and ordered us to do what the AA people usually do in the training session. When we refused to do so, they beat us.

Later we were allowed to leave the place. Some of the boatmen even ran away as they were scared of military personnel," he added.

Most of the boats were from Maebon and Kyauk Phyu townships and they have the largest number of fishing boats docked in the jetty.

A fisherman informed that as it is a port the fishermen get attracted to the Kyauk Phyu jetty and now they are concerned about the development.

"After the incident, the fishermen will not be able to come to the jetty. So they are worried about their livelihood,” he added.

Kyauk Phyu-based social activists reveal that the military council and the AA had reached an understanding (and ceasefire) to reduce the suffering of common people. During the difficult time, the soldiers should not harass the public, it was resolved.

Narinjara News contacted Rakhine State military security & border affairs minister colonel Kyaw Thura, but he did not respond.