Five civilians, including one member of the Marama and four Muslims, were reportedly arrested by Myanmar military authorities and Military Security Affairs personnel during raids in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, on June 26 and 27.
The detainees were identified as U A Pu Khae, 32, a Marama man from Thae Chaung (Rakhine) village in Sittwe Township, and four Muslim residents from In Barri village U Ha Saung, 45, O Maung Ra Laung, 17, Ju Paing, 20, and another individual identified as Ja May.
Local sources said military and intelligence personnel carried out nighttime operations in Thae Chaung and In Barri villages before taking the five people into custody. The reason for their arrests has not been publicly disclosed.
The arrests follow another reported detention on June 24, when a Rakhine man, Ko Yan Naing, 38, from Set Yone Ward in Sittwe, was allegedly taken away by the military while he was out catching frogs. His whereabouts remain unknown.
Earlier, on April 27 at around 11 p.m., approximately 70 local residents from Bawt Thi Su Ward, Kyaung Taing Road, Lanmadaw Taung Ward, and Hari village in Sittwe were reportedly detained by a joint force involving police, immigration officials, and military personnel.
Residents have expressed growing concern over continued arrests in the area. Local reports allege that some detainees have been released after being forced to pay money, while others have allegedly been subjected to military training and sent to frontline areas.
Photo: Social Media
