Junta troops carried out night-time raids on monasteries in the Rakhine state capital , claiming to inspect overnight guest lists, and then arrested all persons lacking a Sittwe resident National Registration Card (NRCs).
Sittwe residents informed Narinjara that on May 15, Junta forces carried out overnight guest list inspections at various locations in Sittwe town, including Shwezedi monastery, the Buddhist University, Taungchay village monastery, Myoma monastery, and Buddamaw monastery. During these inspections, youths without Sittwe resident National Registration Cards (NRCs) beginning with the code 11/SaTaNa were arrested and taken away in vehicles.
"The overnight guest list inspection extended to monasteries and were carried out after dark, leading to the arrest of many non-residents of Sittwe, with the estimated number exceeding 100. The reason for their detention remains uncertain, but suspicions arise that it may be aimed at individuals allegedly associated with the Arakha Army (AA), who are non-residents. Two patients who had traveled from rural areas to seek medical treatment at Taung Chay Monastery were also detained”, a Sittwe resident reported.
A source near the Sittwe police station informed Narinjara that the whereabouts of those arrested remained unclear, as there were no signs of their detention at the police station. "In the past, detainees at the Sittwe police station could meet with their families. However this time, I have not seen or heard of any such arrangements”, he said.
Residents have reported that the monasteries subjected to the Junta’s overnight guest list inspections are situated in Konetan, Kyaungtatlan, Ywargyi (South), Ywargyi (North), Bauktheesu, and Sanpya wards.
Since the conflict began in Sittwe in November 2023, numerous individuals have been arrested abruptly from their homes, others apprehended while traveling to rural areas by boat, and some taken into custody while traveling on foot.
The Humanitarian and Development Coordination Office (HDCO) of the AA reported that Junta troops detained 471 civilians, comprising 424 men and 47 women, including Muslims, over a span of more than four months from November 13, 2023, to March 21, 2024, coinciding with the outbreak of fighting in Rakhine State.
