The junta forces raided the Sittwe-based DevelopmentMedia Group (DMG) office on Sunday and arrested a reporter along with a nightwatchman, said an authorized individualbelonged to the media outlet.

The arrested journalist is identified as Ko Htet Aungand night watchman Ko Soe Win Aung.

It is reported that more than 20 security forcesarrived at the location on 29 October at noon with three military vehicles.Soon they raided the DMG office and arrested both the persons. They also seizedmany documents from the office computers and other appliances.

The DMG source claimed that their office was sealed bythe security personnel.

Htet Aung was going to take pictures of the full moonreligious festival in Sittwe and he was forced to show their office. Then theyraided the office.

"Htet Aung was taken to the office after he was taking photographsrelated to the religious festival of War Kyut. The junta seized officecomputers, cameras, bank-documents etc. The night watchman was alsoarrested," he added.

According to a family member, the soldiers also wentto Htet Aung’s house in the afternoon and asked many questions about him.

The DMG management asserted that arrest of ajournalist and raid of a media office is a violation of media freedom andexpression that deprives people’s right to information.

"Freedom of the media and people's right toinformation have been restricted. DMG is working with a multifacetedvoice with authentic inputs & outputs. The situation will impact theentire Myanmar news world,” the management asserted.

Both the detainees have been taken to Sittwe citynumber one police station. But the junta authorities have not revealed yet whythey have arrested two employees and also seized office documents.