ANP Deputy Chairman for Taungup and Municipal Chairman arrested on anti-terror charges

Ein Soe Hpyu

Narinjara | May 11 2020

The Taungup Township deputy chairman of the Arakan National Party (ANP) and two other men were arrested by police in Taungup, Rakhine State today at around 11am. The three have been held on remand at Taungup Township Court.

The three arrested men include U Way Thaung, Deputy ANP chairman for Taungup, U Zay Ya Kyaw, Chairman of the Municipal Committee, and U San Ngwe, former Chairman of the Municipal Committee.

The attorney representing the three men, Daw Thi Gee Aung, spoke with Narinjara. “Both Ko Zay Ya Kyaw and U San Ngwe posted on social media about the incident in Bu Shwe Maw village - they will be held on remand until May 24 under anti-terror legislation.  I went to see them yesterday at Taungup Police Station but they were still being questioned so I wasn’t permitted to meet them. Today at around 9am the ANP deputy chairman for Taungup U Way Thaung was also arrested. All three are being held on remand on the same charges”, she said.

At 11.15am today the three men were held on remand under Section 50 (a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act at the Taungup Township Court, she explained.

Taungup Township ANP Chairman U Pe Kywe said he was not aware of the reason for his deputy’s arrest but that he would be watching events closely.

“U Way Thaung was arrested at his home today. I still don’t know the reasons behind his arrest. His family said they don’t know either. As for now, we don’t have anything to say” U Hpay Kywe said.

ANP spokesperson Daw Aye Nu Sein explained that they were also still unaware as to the reasons behind his arrest.

Narinjara contacted Taungup Police Station but they were unable to provide a response.

U Zay Ya Kyaw, Chairman of the Municipal Committee was arrested at home by police on May 9 at around 3pm. U San Ngwe  was arrested at a hairdressers at 6pm on May 10.