Maung Sar Ga

Narinjara News, 25 May 2024

Following an overnight guest list inspection, thejunta forces arrested 40 male internally displaced persons (IDPs), who did nothave national registration cards, from Shwe Zedi monastery in Sittwe of ArakanState.

An individual close to the monastery informedNarinjara News that the arrest was made by 1:30 am on 24 May.

"The holders of national registration cardshailing from Mrauk-U, Pauktaw and Rathedaung townships were selected anddetained. They are  40 people in total. So far, we have not been able tocontact them," added the individual.

A number of IDPs and other individuals who facelivelihood problems have sought refuge in the monastery. Currently, around 400 people are taking shelter there.

The arrested individuals are aged from 18 to 40 years.They primarily work  as masons.  

In Sittwe, the junta soldiers are arresting a lot ofpeople without having the registration cards.

In the past few days, they have arrested IDPs from 10other monasteries in Sittwe.

Among them, who can afford to pay Kyats 200,000 wasreleased. The others continue to be detained.

The AA’s humanitarian and development coordinationoffice (HDCO) claimed that the junta forces arrested 471 civilians, comprising424 men and 47 women (including Muslims) with the period from 13 November 2023to 21 March 2024.