Thinzar Nwe, Narinjara News, 14 February 2025 

A Sittwe resident, detained by junta forces, told Narinjara News that in Sittwe, Arakan State, brokers are collaborating with junta forces to deceive individuals seeking to flee from the conflict. 

The resident stated that brokers are conspiring with soldiers to deceive individuals by asking for 1.2 million to 1.5 million kyats from those attempting to flee Sittwe to free regions. 

“Upon hearing the shelling and gunfire, the locals were too frightened to remain in the town. In this period, a few brokers, in cooperation with the junta forces, convinced the local population. They assured that they could escape securely, stating that nothing would occur and that they had coordinated with the soldiers. Thus, the residents attempted to flee. However, upon arriving at the water where the boats were located, they were apprehended and lost their money. That's the way they did it," remarked the resident. 

The resident mentioned that despite the brokers asserting they had coordinated with the soldiers, when the locals met the soldiers positioned on the outskirts of Sittwe, they were prevented from leaving. Rather, they were apprehended, and the funds they had provided to the brokers were lost and never recovered. 

"We also observed troops conducting ambush patrols. Soldiers and police are positioned on the outskirts of Sittwe and along the coastline. They mentioned that they had coordinated with them, but if you came across them, you’d be taken into custody,” the resident told Narinjara News. 

A woman living in Sittwe informed Narinjara News that individuals who fled to the countryside and were apprehended were not brought to the No. 1 Police Station but were held at a nearby military checkpoint. There, they received a fine and were subsequently released back into the city. 

“If they flee during the night, they are captured at night. In the morning, each individual at the checkpoints is required to pay a fine of 100,000 kyats. After that, they are returned to the city,” she stated. 

She further clarified that brokers are not refunding the money they had collected from residents. The brokers allege they were detained by junta forces and assert that the junta confiscated the money. 

"The junta troops feigned the capture of the brokers and set the locals free. When the locals requested the return of their money, the brokers asserted that the junta forces had taken it and refused to give it back. It's extremely painful that they are working together to deceive individuals in this way,” she stated.

The junta has enforced rigorous limitations on the movement of Sittwe inhabitants in and out of the city and intends to utilize them as human shields if combat occurs. 

At present, residents of Sittwe are eager to escape to rural regions to avoid the threats of conflict, yet they find themselves trapped and face multiple limitations on their mobility within the city.