Lu Htet Naing Narinjara News, 1 June 2024

The Arakha Army (AA) on 30 May  announced that aftercapturing Buthidaung town of Rakhine State they rescued 98 prisoners, including31 political prisoners, from Buthidaung jail and supported them withhumanitarian assistance. The AA fighters also extended support to Muslimprisoners.

It may be mentioned that the AA fighters captured  allbattalions and military camps, including the junta's Buthidaung tacticaloperation command headquarters by noon on 18 May last.

"A total of 98 prisoners with various offenses like murder,rape, theft, illegal logging, human trafficking, drug peddling, corruption etcwere rescued on 16 May. They underwent the verification process by officialsbelonging to the United League of Arakan/Arakha Army (ULA/AA). They were givenmedical care and emergency food assistance in accordance with the internationalhumanitarian standard,” said an AA statement.

The political prisoners were allowed to contact their familymembers and later offered financial assistance for their homeward journey on 26 May.

"Before the conflict erupted with the AA fighters, the juntasoldiers relocated some prisoners from Buthidaung prison. However, severalpolitical prisoners were left behind. Instead of relocating them to anon-combat area, they were transferred to the 3rd border guard police battalionand left them to face the clashes. It indicates the military junta's oppressionand human rights violations in the Rakhine region,” added the statement.