NarinjaraNews, 7 August 2022

Atleast eight civilians, five from Kyauk Phyu and three from Sittwe, werearrested by the junta forces after checking the guest lists.

TheKyauk Phyu residents namely U Zaw Zaw Aung, U Myo Than Kyaw, U Nyi, U Bobo andU Zeya Tun were arrested at around 11pm on 5 August.

Nearly25 soldiers and 5 policemen from the 34th battalion based in Kyauk Phyu on NgaLa Pwe bridge, came to check the guests and later they arrested those fiveindividuals.

"Lastnight, about 25 army and police personnel came to investigate the guest listsin our neighborhood and then arrested five residents, who lied on the Nga LaPwe bridge checkpoint. Presently they are in the city police station,” said aresident, who wanted anonymity.

ThoseSittwe residents namely Maung Phyo Wai Soe (18 years old) and U Maung RweThein (43) were arrested on the night of 4 August.

Residentsof Mingang ward of Sittwe informed that three men were arrested by the militarypersonnel from LIB  270 battalion after applying 2 shots ataround 9 pm.

Mingangward administrator U Soe Win, when asked about the incident, informed thatthe residents were arrested following the checking of guest lists, but hedenied more details.

Anotherward administrator U Kyaw Naing Oo said that they heard about the arrest. Buthe too avoided further information.

RakhineState security and border affairs minister colonel Kyawthura was contacted byNarinjara News, but did not respond.

The junta forces have arrested over 40 civiliansafter checking the guest lists in the Rakhine townships of Kyauk Phyu, Rambree,Maungdaw, Rathedaug, Mrauk U and Minbya.

Manylocal residents alleged that the junta forces were actually looking for peoplein connection with the Arakan Army and it only showed the checking of guestlists as their primary cause of arrest.