After the Arakan Army (AA) arrested a former Army Captain in Ramree Township, the Military Council retaliated by detaining seven local residents in an act of revenge.

“A former Army Captain U Tun Kyi was arrested by ULA/AA at U Maung Kyaw's pharmacy in Inndaung. That's why the army is retaliating and arresting local people who have nothing to do with that matter”, a local resident explained. Narinjara is still trying to reach AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha to confirm whether the former army officer was arrested by AA.

The Military Council started arresting the civilians after people heard the news that AA had arrested U Tun Kyi, a former Army Captain from No. 5 Longchaung Ward in Ramree Township, a local from Inndaung Ward  said.

On the morning of October 15, 4 people from a local workshop, including the workshop owner Ko Kyaw Min Han and 3 other locals from No.3 Inndaung Ward were arrested, and brought to a police station by the No.308 Infantry Battalion and the police, according to a local who requested anonymity.

The arrested people were U Kyaw Min Han (38), Maung Myo Aung Htet, U Thet Naing Tun (aka) Maung (34), U Myo Min (aka) Barbar Gyi (34), U Ko Aung (36) and tricycle drivers, U San Lin (58), U Tun Aung and an unknown local man.

“They are arresting the residents who are just working for their livelihood. Even now, I heard that about 7 people have been arrested. It's hard to tell the exact number because they're chasing people in the entire No. 3 Ward”, another local said.

Ramree Township, which is part of Kyaukphyu District, is currently an area where AA is actively operating, but no serious fighting has occurred yet.