The junta arrested seven people in Kyaukphyu Township in Arakan (Rakhine) State over five days between 1 and 5 September 2024 and have, so far, only released two of them.

On 1 September, U Me Tun and U Maung Khin Than from Kyan Chai Village in Kyaukphyu Township, along with Ko Soe Lwin Maung from Ngalapway Ward in Kyaukphyu Town were arrested by the junta navy whilst fishing near Kyan Chai Village.

U Me Tun and U Maung Khin Than were released two days later, on 3 September.

One of U Me Tun’s family members said: "They were fishing in the river when a junta warship arrived unexpectedly and detained them. Two of them were released two days later, but the junta confiscated their fishing boat.”

On 5 September U Than Maung Nu, U Pho Thauk Kyar, U Wa Toat, and U Khin Maung Than from Ngalapway Ward were arrested in Ngalapway Ward for smuggling food out of Kyaukphyu Town. They are all still in detention.

"They were all arrested and accused of using motorboats to transport food from storage in town to outside areas. They are being held at the police station, on this single charge, and are not allowed to see their families”, said a Ngalapway resident.