Junta arrests medical worker, teacher with her father in Taungup

Thinzar Nwe / Min Shin Saw, Narinjara News, 27 August 2024

The junta forces have arrested a medical worker, a secondary school teacher and her father in Taungup town of Arakan State, said a local resident.

The arrested individuals include Daw Khin Thuzar Aung (32-year-old teacher from La Mu San Pya village under Kin Taung sub-township), her father U Myat Htay (52)  and U Aung Tha Htun (48) from Myo Haung village.

Daw Khin Thuzar Aung and her father were arrested on 23 August soon after the junta soldiers at the Taungup University checkpoint found medicines with them.  They were returning to La Mu San Pya village from Taungup town on a motorcycle after collecting her monthly salary.

“They were arrested because the soldiers found  medicines with them. U Myat Htay is a local healer (physician) who treats people in rural areas. They came to town to buy the supplies, but they were arrested after their return,” added the resident.

Both of them are being kept at Taungup University, where the junta forces opened a base.

Meanwhile, U Aung Tha Htun was arrested from  his residence by the soldiers from the Taungup-based 544th light infantry battalion (LIB) on 25  August in the afternoon hours.

“The soldiers accused him of supplying medicines to the Arakan Army (AA) members. He treated sick people, but the junta forces accuse him of supporting AA fighters,” stated the resident.

Taungup is witnessing a military tension between the AA fighters and  junta soldiers. The junta imposed a strict ban on transporting medicines to rural areas and also on importing medicines from the mainland. Those found in possession of medicines are being arrested.

The junta has also prohibited the transportation of consumer goods and announced that no one will be allowed to pass through the town’s entry & exit points without necessary documents.