The Arakan Army (AA) abducted five Chin Ethnic villagers in Rakhine State’s Minbya Township on May 15 and dissuaded the remaining villagers with death threats from notifying the incident to authority and media, a villager told Chin World Media.

"There are many Chin villages in Minbya Township. One person from Kye Ma Kye village and four persons including two women from a village near Kye Ma Kye were abducted by AA troops on May 15. They told us that they would execute the abductees if we disclose this information to media and authority," a villager whose name has been concealed for security reason said.

AA abductees include three men and two women. Because of the continuous presence of AA soldiers around the villages, people feel threatened and chose to stay silent about the incident.

"A father along with his two daughters were abducted on their way to firm. Upon hearing the news, husbands of the two women went to AA soldiers to plead for their release were also abducted. No one dares to speak out the incident because AA soldiers are still around the villages," another villager said.

As armed clashes between Tatmataw and AA continue in Rakhine State, several intense clashes also occur in Chin State's Paletwa Township, which leave hundreds of Chin villagers displaced from their homes.