The Arakan Army (AA) has abducted at least 15 Chin villagers from Paletwa Township in southern Chin State, according to a Khumi group.

“I don’t know exactly why AA has arrested these people…What I can say is that they’re ordinary villagers” and not soldiers, an official from the Interim Khumi Affairs Coordination Council (IKAAC) told Khonumthung News.

He said the ethnic armed group abducted the civilians from five villages on the west bank of the Kalandan River in June.

An IKAAC statement criticised the group, calling for their immediate release so as not to damage relations between the different ethnic groups living in the region.

“AA is a revolutionary armed group and should have released these villagers after their investigation…They should respect the other ethnic people,” says the officer.

Khonumthung News tried to reach the spokesperson of AA, Khine Thukha, for comment but he didn’t respond.

AA fought with the Burma Army (BA) in the township on 26 May and the two groups have been facing off with each other ever since.

According to locals, BA soldiers have also detained people in the area and at times prevented the delivery of fuel and other vital supplies to the town of Paletwa, which relies on petrol to run generators that supply the area with electricity.

“Some people are using solar panels and batteries in their home while others are using candle light at night. The whole town is dark at night,” a resident told Khonumthung News last week.