Salai Moe Aung, Narinjara News, 8 October 2024

According to information obtained by Narinjara News, thejunta forces moved some 300 prisoners from Sittwe Prison in Sittwe, ArakanState, throughout the night as military tensions in the region increased.

Eyewitnesses report that at around one in the morning onOctober 8, junta soldiers drove prisoners from Sittwe Prison to the Korean BXTport in military vehicles. From there, they were placed into military bargesfor additional transportation.

"I do not know if they were transferred to otherprisons or taken to be used in the combat, but they were undoubtedlytransported on military barges," a Sittwe local who wished to remainanonymous said.

"They headed out toward the sea, but I do not knowexactly where they were taken," he continued, adding that it is stillunclear where they were taken.

According to another report, those seized included politicaldetainees who were informed they would be moved to Insein Prison in Yangon.

People from Byine Phyu village in Sittwe Township who hadbeen imprisoned were among those seized.

"I heard that the detainees' family members wereinformed about the prisoners' transfer," stated another local, “I alsodiscovered that Insein Prison in Yangon will be the destination for individualswho have served lengthy prison sentences."

Sittwe residents stated that the junta's 12th policebattalion fired artillery shells in Sittwe Town during the transportation ofdetainees from Sittwe Prison, and small weapons were discharged to clear thearea near the BXT Korean port.

Additionally, Narinjara News was informed that during theirbarge transfer, some prisoners had to be returned to Sittwe Prison as the sunrose.

The junta forces used barges to move some 500 prisoners fromSittwe Prison during the final week of September.

According to a local, some of the Sittwe Prison inmates—whowere held there for a variety of offenses—are being sent to fight on the frontlines.

The resident added, "It is also learned that they weretransported to be utilized on the battlefield."

Regarding the transfer of these prisoners, Narinjara Newsattempted to get in touch with Arakan State Attorney General U Hla Thein, buthe did not take the call. Therefore, it remains unknown where the convicts weretaken.