Junta forces arrest 6 Maungdaw residents with arms

Naung Min Lu, Narinjara News, 31 May 2024

The junta forces arrested six residents from Aung Myay Baw Di village under  Maungdaw township of Rakhine State along with three weapons which were received from the Meitei (Kathe) people.

The arrested individuals are U Daung Pyauk, Maung Maung Chey, Ah Yoe, Nay Myo Tun (a firefighter), U Myat Naing and a Hindu national, said the villagers.

"The guns belonged to the Meitei (Kathe) people. When they fled the conflict, these people acquired those,” added the villager.

They all were arrested on 30 May and their families are yet to have any contact with them.

"Six villagers were first raided by the junta forces and found three guns with ammunition," stated the villager.

As the fighting continued in Maungdaw, many Meitei (Kathe) families left their places leaving their weapons in Aung Myay Baw Di village. The soldiers later entered the village and made the arrests.

The Meitei (Kathe) people,  hailing from Manipur State of  India, are fighting for secession. In 2002, during the tenure of former intelligence chief general Khin Nyunt, Nga Yant Chaung San Pya village was established in Kha Maung Seik village-tract in the northern part of Maungdaw to accommodate them.

Nga Yant Chaung San Pya village is approximately 31 miles away from Maungdaw town. The village consists of more than 70 families and it has around 500 people.

Later on, those who could afford it began to purchase or rent those houses in the urban areas of Maungdaw.

The Meitei (Kathe) people are settled in Maungdaw and Tamu township of  Sagaing region.