The juntaforces took away ninefishermen along with their boats from ShwePyi Thar village underSittwe townshipto retrieve the fishing nets fromrivers which wereunderstandably obstructed thenavigation of security personnel nearPauktaw township.

Thefishermen who are detained include MaungTun Myint, Maung Soe Min Tun, Maung Aye Hla and U Than Htay fromShwePyi Thar village. Therest of them namely U Aung Chan Hla, U Kyaw Ye Aung, U KyawHtay Win, U Kyaw Naing and Maung Thein Naing hail fromKyan Chaung village underPonna Kyunt township,but lately they weretemporarily residing in ShwePyi Thar village.

According to alocal source, the fishery department officials accompanied by 20 soldiers tookaway those nine individuals in the morning hours on 7 December.

"Thoseengaged in fishing activities need to possess a license from the fisherydepartment. The license comprises personal information about the holders. Inaccordance with the military's directives, they were taken away by the soldiersin a military vehicle. The explanation provided says that they are being takento retrieve the nets from rivers. As of now, they are yet to return and hencetheir families are worried about them,” said a local source.

Severallocal eyewitnesses informed that the fishermenalong with the soldiersdeparted Sat Yoe Kya creek in their boats towards Taung Fhu mountain in Pauktaw township.

Lately, the navypersonnel indulged in openfiring on vessels,including the fishing boats,causing fishermen to refrain from fishing activities. Localresidents stated that the nets putin the rivers remainundisturbed, but now the fishermenhave been asked to take thoseaway as it has affected the navigation.