Lu Htet Naing, Narinjara News, 28 December 2024 

Junta troops apprehended three Arakanese young men on December 24 in Nyaungdon Township, Ayeyarwady Region. Sources close to them reported that the three were on a Ka Naung passenger bus at the Pan Taing checkpoint in Ah Ywe Village when they were apprehended and transported to an interrogation facility. 

The detained youths are Thein Tan, Chit Ko Oo, and Kyaw Phyo Lin, all hailing from Tonetaw Village in Thandwe Township, Arakan State. 

While traveling from Yangon to Ngathainggyaung Town in the Ayeyarwady Region, they faced accusations of being part of the Arakan Army (AA) and were taken into custody. 

A resident of Ngathainggyaung Township stated, "They verify national registration cards and detain anyone identified as Arakanese. Arakanese individuals are detained regardless of whether they are journeying from Yangon to Ayeyarwady or from Ayeyarwady to Yangon. If you're fortunate, you can spend money and be set free. Otherwise, you will be taken to an interrogation facility." 

Junta troops and local authorities are performing daily inspections on vehicles and motorcycles arriving from Arakan State at the Tha Yet Creek top, near the bridge, and close to the welcome sign in Ngathainggyaung Town, Yegyi Township, Pathein District. 

A resident from Yegyi Township stated, “It’s not accurate to assert that all Arakanese entering and leaving our township are members of AA. They have resided and conducted trade here for an extended period, as the location is situated at the border. Currently, the junta is worried that the AA could move into Ayeyarwady and is complicating life for the Arakanese people. They are pressuring residents not to accept the Arakanese.” 

In Ngathainggyaung Township, Arakanese individuals are facing checks and arrests not just on passenger buses but also in private vehicles and on motorcycles. 

In the meantime, authorities in Ngathainggyaung Town, Yegyi Township, are pushing displaced individuals from Arakan State, who moved from Thida Kone Pyin village, to relocate and are compelled to pay fees. 

In a separate event, on the evening of December 19, Ko Lin Aung from Ya Hai Ku Toh village and Ko Aung Min Htun from Ywar Thit Kone village, Gwa Township, were taken by junta forces in Myaungmya Town, where they had found shelter as displaced individuals. The junta troops captured them, claiming to check an overnight visitor list, and they remain unfreed.