Ten Muslim individuals were arrested on 31 March from Ann township as they were travelling by a bus from Rakhine State to the mainland (Burma proper).

The police informed that they had no travel document and hence were detained.

The bus carrying the Muslims arrived at the Kan Myint Kan joint check point of  Ann township in the evening hours and the on duty immigration officers asked them to produce travel documents. They did not have any documents and the officers detained the group including six women.

They were later escorted to the cargo hold of Gispanadi bus which departed from Sittwe.

Ann township police station deputy chief Myo Kyi said, “I don’t know what to do with the individuals. We only file a case after the immigration department has taken the action.”

The driver and four accomplices who helped the Muslims to travel are prosecuted under section 367 of the Penal Code (of Myanmar).

Earlier on 12 March, four Muslims were arrested at the same checkpoint and charged under section 6 (2) of the Immigration Act. It is learnt that a case is filed under section 6 (3) too.