Saw Shin May, NarinjaraNews, 3 September 2024

Around 30 Arakaneseinternally displaced persons, who were arrested in the Ayeyarwady region by thejunta forces, remain out of contact with their families.

The arrested individuals arefishermen from Gwa and Thandwe townships, who were fleeing the conflict intheir places and currently working in Kyonpyaw town in the Ayeyarwady region.

They were arrested by apatrolling junta column on 20 August from  Kyonpyaw Myoma market in theevening hours, as they were returning from the market and tea shops.

A resident told NarinjaraNews that they remain in custody for  10 days, but their families have noclues about them.

“People in the fishing industry normally work in the night hours and sleep duringthe day. Those who came to the Ayeyarwady region are currently out of work andtheir sleep schedules were already disrupted. They were arrested as they wereenjoying  leisure time at night. We don’t know where they were beingtaken,” he added.

Most of the Thandwe and Gwaresidents are now taking shelter in  Ayeyarwady as internally displacedpersons.

Those IDPs from ArakanState, now living in Ayeyarwady,  registered their names in  anovernight guest list with the ward and village administrators. However, theyare being constantly monitored by the junta soldiers.

“We are being monitored likethe parents watch a child closely,” he asserted.

Following the resurgence ofgun fighting between Junta forces and Arakan Army (AA) , many residents from Arakan State sought refuge as IDPs inliberated areas within the State and on the mainland.

Meanwhile, the juntasoldiers continue arresting the Arakanese nationals who have taken shelter onthe mainland.

On 29 August at  around6 pm, the junta soldiers from the battalions in Gwa arrested over 10 Arakaneseyouths in Yae Kyaw village. It’s not  known where they are being detainedtill now.

These youths hail from SinGaung and Gyeik Taw villages under Thandwe township and they come to Yae Kyawvillage escaping the conflict.

Photograph Military vehicleson the main road in Sittwe of Arakan State during the military coup in February2021.