The Myanmar military detained three local men in Kyaukphyu, Arakan State, where the Arakan Army and military junta have traded arrests in recent days, on September 12, according to locals.
The detainees have been identified as Ko Win Aung and U Tin Nyunt from Kyaukphyu’s Kulabataung Ward, and U Soe Win Naing from Paikseik Ward.
Junta soldiers and police took U Win Aung from his home and U Tin Nyunt was arrested near Kyaukphyu Airport, according to residents.
“Ko Win Aung was abducted from his home and the reason for the arrest is still unknown,” said a resident of Kulabataung Ward. “The junta forces in Kyaukphyu detain some civilians under the pretext of checking for overnight guests. Ko Tin Nyunt was arrested near Kyaukphyu Airport.”
Junta soldiers reportedly detained U Soe Win Naing under that very pretext. The three men were arrested by security personnel from the Kyaukphyu-based Myanmar military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 34, locals said.
Police Inspector Thet Hlaing, an officer from Ann’s Myoma police station, was arrested by military intelligence officers on September 10, and while the precise reason for his detention is not yet clear, he was reportedly taken into custody at the direct order of the Western Command commander for AA-related reasons, according to locals.
Three local men were reportedly taken from their homes in downtown Kyaukphyu wards by the Myanmar military on September 7. The arrestees have been identified as Ko Win Naing, 29, from Ceditaung Ward; Salai Ko Aye aka Kahi, 43, from Asoeya Ward; and U Ba Than, a 42- year-old man from Paikseik Ward.
It is not yet known why the Myanmar military arrested them. DMG attempted to contact Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for the regime, seeking comment on the detention of the three men in Kyaukphyu, but he could not be reached.
Fighting between the military and the Arakan Army has been ongoing in Arakan State. Some civilians in Arakan State were arrested by the military on suspicion of having ties to the Arakan Army and were charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code, an incitement provision.
