Kyaing Hein Lin,Narinjara News, 10 October 2024

Arakanese singer Hsu Myat Htet and her niecewere snatched from their house in Tamwe Township, Yangon, by junta forces fromthe Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs (SaYaPha) and the police.

An unnamed acquaintance claimed, "SaYaPha,the police, and the ward administration officials seized them from their homein Tamwe Township, Yangon, saying it was for questioning, but they did notdisclose any further details."

He said that although the junta officials hadnot provided an explanation for the kidnapping, it might have something to dowith a donation made to flood victims in Arakan State. 

“The police returned soon after she wasdetained, looted her home, and took her financial records. We believe it couldbe connected to the flood victims' donation because of this," he said.

The military junta has forbidden anybody fromdonating to people impacted by the floods and has not given any aid to theflood victims in Arakan State.

Singer Hsu Myat Htet was one of many whocollected donations in September to help persons in Arakan State devastated byflooding and disclosed the specifics of the donations to the public.

Her family and the Arakan community, who care for her, areconcerned about her current whereabouts.

“She was indeed detained along with her niece.We are quite concerned because we do not know where they are being held or whythey were seized," an Arakanese woman who lives in Yangon stated.

"I wasdevastated to learn that she had been taken into custody and was reallyconcerned about her." said an individual from Tamwe Township in Yangon andexpressed concern about the situation for Arakanese people in the city.

Renowned artist HsuMyat Htet, originally from Manaung Island in Arakan State, now resides inYangon. She has a store where she offers a variety of traditional Arakan silk,cotton, and batik products.