Seventy-seven Muslims, including children, from Arakan State’s Maungdaw Township who were reportedly heading to Yangon were arrested in Taungup Township on December 22.

The 77 Muslims — 17 men, 49 women and 11 children — were arrested near Milepost 86 on the Padaung-Taungup road in Taungup Township, according to the Rakhine Daily Facebook page, which regularly reports on the activities of the Arakan State Administration Council.

One of the arrestees died and the circumstances surrounding his death remain murky, locals said.

Fourteen-year-old Mahmoud Jubai was reportedly found dead of asphyxiation and was taken to the People’s Hospital in Taungup, according to the Rakhine Daily page.

“One of the 77 Muslims died of asphyxiation,” confirmed U Win Naing, the administrator of Kyoekyarkwin village-tract. “I don’t know why he was killed. The remaining Muslims were taken to Taungup town.”

DMG attempts to contact the Taungup police station and the Taungup Township administrator about the matter were unsuccessful.

The 77 Muslims were arrested while traveling aboard a semi-trailer truck, and arrangements are reportedly being made to take action against the truck driver and a colleague.