Thinzar Nwe

Narinjara News, 18 May 2024

The junta forces arrested over 100 youths after an overnight guest listinspection at the monasteries of Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State and takenthem away by cars.

The junta soldiers conducted the overnight guest list inspection at severallocations on 15 May, said a resident of Sittwe.

The locations include Shwe Zedi monastery, BuddhistUniversity, Taung Chay monastery, Myo Ma monastery and Buddha Maw monastery.During the process, the soldiers arrested those youths who did not possessNational Registration Cards issued to the Sittwe residents

"The inspection process resulted in picking upthose non-residents of Sittwe. The reason for their arrest remains unclear, but they are suspected to be associated with the Arakha Army(AA). Shockingly, two patients coming from rural areas for treatment at TaungChay monastery, were also arrested," added the resident.

An individual near the police station informedNarinjara News that it was unclear where the arrested individuals were takenaway by the soldiers.

"In earlier occasions, closer relatives wereallowed to meet the detainees at Sittwe police station. However, I have no ideaif it’s done this time,” he added.

The monasteries subjected to overnight guest list inspections are located inKone Tan, Kyaung Tat Lan, Ywar Gyi (south), Ywar Gyi (north), Bauk Thee Su andSan Pya wards.

Since the conflict erupted in Sittwe during November2023, a number of individuals were arrested arbitrarily from their residences.Many  others were apprehended as they travelled to rural areas via theboats.

The AA’s humanitarian and development coordination office (HDCO) claimed thatthe junta forces had arrested 471 civilians, comprising 424 men and 47 women(including Muslims) over a period of four months (from 13 November 2023 to 21March 2024), since the gun fighting erupted in the Rakhine region.