The junta forces set a number of motorboats and sampans on fire in Shwe Min Gancreek near Sittwe township's naval base. Those were owned by civilians who fledfrom Kyay Taw village due to emerging conflicts.

An eyewitness reported that on 10 April at around 8 am, thejunta soldiers from Shwe Min Gan naval outpost set many civilian motorboatsdocked in the creek on fire.

"They erected fences along Shwe Min Gan's shore and set the boats andsampans on fire. I cannot tell how many were burned. Most of the affectedowners have fled due to the military situation,” added the eyewitness.

At that time three boats docked on the bank of the creek infront of Kyay Taw Ywar Ma Pagoda in sittwe locality. All these were set on fireby a group of soldiers and police personnel.

"The arsonists included both the soldiers and policepersonnel. Many  civilians have already fled from their villages leavingtheir boats and sampans unattended,” said a reliable source, adding that thejunta officials probably want to prevent the residents from fleeing.

Local residents suspected that the military junta was makingfull scale military preparations in Sittwe township. They are now increasingsecurity cover at the entry and exit points of the locality and also conductingday & night patrols.

Moreover, the junta forces are planting landmines in Sittwe locality and alsoarresting the civilians who try to escape the conflict.