Arrests of Rakhine people on suspicion of having links with the Arakan Army (AA) are reportedly spreading beyond the Rakhine State and reaches to Ayeyarwady division in Burma proper (mainland Myanmar).

More than 30 Arakanese from Ayeyarwady division were arrested by the military council on suspicion of being AA members, reported The Ayeyarwady Times.

The detainees hail from Ngaputaw township and the action started at a number of villages near Haigyikyun since 19 April.

The media outlet on 27 April reported that the detainees were suspected to be linked with the AA.

"There are many people on the island of Haigyi. The authority accused the villagers that they have been attending the AA military training,” said the news report quoting locals.

The detainees hail from Haigyi island, Nga Pyay Ma village-tract,  Kin Chaung village, Anwar village and Zee Phyu Chaung village.

"On 27 April, about 20 Rakhine soldiers and police personnel surrounded the village and arrested three Rakhine men. They are reportedly ordinary fishermen," said a local.

All the detainees are currently being interrogated at the Haigyi island naval base, but the concerned families are yet to be contacted.