It is learned that a boat owner and 13 passengers who were arrested in the Thanzit River, Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan, are facing lawsuits under the unlawful association and illegal transport of goods sections under the allegation that they have connections with the Arakan Army (AA).
On June 8, a motorboat carrying goods from Minbya Township was sailing toward Ramree Township when it was intercepted and seized at sea by a coup military naval vessel at the junction of the Thanzit River in Kyaukphyu Township and Min Chaung creek in Ramree Township.
The military filed the lawsuits under the allegations of having connections with the AA and transporting illegal goods, accusing the food supplies carried on the boat of being logistics supplies for the AA.
"It is learned that the person filing the lawsuit is from the military. They sued them under the allegation that the items are logistics supplies for the AA. It is also learned that some are facing charges for illegal trade," said a local Kyaukphyu man close to the family members of an arrestee.
The arrested individuals are U Shwe Khe, U Sein Win Maung, Daw Kyi Kyi Khin, Daw Mi Mi, Daw Win Win Shwe, Daw Tin May Than, Maung Zaw Min Aung, U Ko Ko Aung, Ko Nay Myo Thein, Daw Myint Myint Khin, Daw Mya Mya Kyaw, U Khin Zaw Oo, Daw Chaw Su Ma, and U Than Win Lwin, totaling 7 women and 7 men.
They are from Ramree, Kyaukphyu, Taungup, and Myebon townships. Some are merchants who were transporting food products and consumer goods to sell within their respective townships.
It is still investigating to find out the exact legal sections filed against the boat owner and the 13 passengers. Although family members are currently trying to get permission to meet with the detainees, it is learned that the military has not granted any visitation.
"Those who have been arrested are travelers and merchants. Because they (the military junta) are losing the war to the AA, they are taking out their frustration by unlawfully doing whatever they want to the Rakhine public. Since we have to suffer whatever they do if we fall into their hands, it is necessary to live as safely and evasively as possible," said a local Ramree man close to the arrestees.
Since the beginning of the battles, the coup military has blocked and cut off the Arakan region using the 'Four Cuts' strategy, causing numerous crises.
Arakan locals are suffering major losses as they face arrests and prison sentences by the military even when moving around for their socio-economic livelihoods.
Currently, since the AA has captured and controlled most of the territories in Arakan, the military, which cannot dominate the ground, has expanded its presence using naval forces and is threatening the waterway travel of local residents.
