The Myanmar military detained two residents from Na Ram Village in Minbya Township, and are reportedly hunting for another village who is now in hiding.

Junta soldiers detained a car workshop owner from Na Ram Village and an employee of his while they were test-driving a vehicle on Wednesday. The following day, regime personnel went to the home of car owner Ko Soe Win.

“I usually travel a lot and I therefore keep my citizenship ID in my car,” he said. “That day, my car didn’t need much repair, so I left my ID card in the car. But, soldiers found my ID as they seized my car, and came to the address on my ID. And they searched my house.”

Ko Soe Win and his family have since fled the village for fear that they might be arrested. “They turned my house upside down. They also stamped medicines that my daughter was prescribed when she saw a doctor in Mrauk-U after falling sick.”

He added: “My daughter is now in hiding and can’t take her medicine. They mistook some three or four houses for my house and searched those houses before reaching my house. I went into hiding once I heard that the two had been detained because I knew that they would come for me. And I am lucky.”

The two detainees were reportedly taken to a battalion in Minbya, said Na Ram village administrator U Win Hla Maung.

“We are not sure if they are being kept in Battalion 379 or Battalion 541. And we don’t think it is OK to inquire about them for the time being. Ko Soe Win has also asked me to assure the military that he has nothing to do with the case, and also help him take back his car. However, I can’t do it alone, and I have yet to discuss it with my superiors,” he added.