- Web Master
- November 23, 2023
More than
10 villagers, including a 100-house-group elder in Aung Taing village under
Sittwe township of Rakhine State, were arrested by the junta forces and since
then the families have had no contacts with the residents.
The junta
soldiers arrested them on the night of 7 and 8 June. The arrested
villagers include U Aung Than Win (also known as Ko Nyi Nyi, 41 years old), Ko
Kyaw Than (25), U Tun Oo Sein (40), U Maung Thein (40), U Than Zaw Oo (30), U
Hla Win, Maung Tun Lin, Ko Nyein Nyein Lin, Ko Moe Di, Ko Maung Pyar along with
a few others.
"Both
my son and son-in-law were arrested while they were sleeping. Since 7 June I
haven't been able to contact them. I am worried about their safety. I
desperately want to see my son,” said a villager.
The junta
forces forcibly relocated 12 villages under Sittwe locality including Aung
Taing village to Sittwe town within 9 to 14 June.
“The junta
soldiers continuously raided our houses and arrested many young and middle-aged
villagers. I do not know who were released and who are still in their custody,”
added the villager.
On 10 June,
a resident of Aung Taing village named U Aung Than (50) was killed after
being dragged with a noose around his neck by the junta soldiers.
Facing
setbacks against the Arakha Army fighters in various battles, the military
junta has been arresting and even killing Arakanese civilians, said an
observer of Arakan affairs, adding that it created panic among the villagers.