Khaing Lu Hla (Roma Mray) — One of six Rakhine civilians arrested by Myanmar military forces in Sittwe has reportedly died from severe torture and beatings sustained during his detention.
Eyewitnesses and fellow displaced persons identified the deceased as Ko Aung Aung, an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) who had been seeking refuge in a local monastery.
Ko Aung Aung was arrested around 9:00 p.m. on May 9 during a joint military and police raid at a monastery in Sittwe. Among those also detained were U Kyaw Than Hlaing, Ko Aye Kyaw, and Ko Mya Htun.
“They were refugees living in the monastery,” a local displaced person told Narinjara. “The military arrested six of them and began beating them in the dark. They accused them of being members of the Arakan Army (AA). Ko Aung Aung died on the spot from the severity of the assault.”
A female relative of the detainees explained that the group was targeted during a routine "guest list" check.
“Soldiers and police frequently check guest lists at these monasteries,” she said. “Because many refugees are not original residents of Sittwe, they are often arrested for being from outside the area, even though they have been evading the war here for a long time.”
Witnesses described a brutal scene where soldiers punched and kicked the victims in the face with military boots.
"All six were beaten inside the school building. They used weapons, punched them, and kicked them in the eyes. Ko Aung Aung died because he simply couldn't survive the torture. The military then took his body away in a vehicle along with the other five detainees. It was a grave violation of human rights."
The raid was part of a broader operation on May 9, during which military and police forces entered several wards in Sittwe, including Tat U Kyaw, Sait Thu Kham Maung Kyaw, Mo Kok Kyaw, and Thayet Taw Kyaw.
Local residents report that the army is now conducting guest list checks almost daily. These operations reportedly target men specifically, often leading to arbitrary arrests, torture, and extortion.
