Families of 60 inmates at Taungup Myoma police station worried over escalating military conflict

 Saw Shin May, Narinjara News, 25 August 2024

Family members of 60 inmates at Taungup Myoma police station informed Narinjara News that they are worried about the safety of them as the military conflict intensifies in Taungup town of  Arakan State, where the military operations command (MOC-5) is based.

"The military situation in Taungup turns volatile and so we are concerned. We fled the conflict ourselves, but those detained still remain in Taungup under police custody. We prefer them to be released before the fighting escalates," said a family member of an inmate.

According to a source close to the junta’s administration, about 30 inmates remain at Taungup Myoma police station facing charges under sections 17 (1) and 17 (2) for unlawful associations, with 30 others for different charges.

Some of those inmates are also suffering from diarrhea & other ailments and need urgent medical care.

"Many of the inmates are not involved in politics. Some are facing health issues. We hope they will be released as soon as possible," said a family member of an individual, who is detained under the anti-terrorism laws.

Meanwhile, the situation in Taungup is worsening as the Arakan Army (AA) fighters are gradually approaching the locality.

On 31 January, the junta forces killed former journalist Ko Myat Thu Tun (aka Phoe Thiha) along with  six others, who were detained at the 378th light infantry battalion base in Mrauk-U.

Similarly, during the battle of  Minbya in February, the junta soldiers killed two inmates. So the family members are concerned as the junta soldiers often kill the inmates in crisis.

About 20 inmates suspected to have links with the AA were recently transported to MOC-5 from Taungup police station on the night of 9 August in private cars.

Now the junta is planning to transfer 12 inmates from Taungup police station to the mainland.

A local military source informed  Narinjara News that the junta is planning to transfer another group of 12 inmates from Taungup police station to the mainland.

As tensions remain  high in Taungup between the junta soldiers and  AA fighters, the residents expressed serious concern over then  military operations conducted by the soldiers  in the locality.