The Myanmar military has recently detained three civilians including a school principal in Chin State’s Paletwa Township, according to local residents.

The military detained school headmaster U Kyaw Win Naing, 36, of Basic Education High School (branch) in Myo Thit on Tuesday, as well as general worker U Aung Thein Hla, 40, from No. 1 Basic Education High School, and local resident U Maung Phyu from Tharyarwa Ward, on Thursday.

U Kyaw Win Naing was taken on October 18 for questioning, and his family has not been allowed to see him since. His school sits on the compound of the Paletwa-based Light Infantry Battalion No. 289.

Junta soldiers detained U Aung Thein Hla and U Maung Phyu at their homes on Thursday. U Aung Thein Hla was taken from his house on the school compound to Light Infantry Battalion No. 289, according to residents.

“The school gate was locked. But somehow, junta soldiers entered the school compound, and asked from outside of his house if he was at home. They told his wife that they would take her husband to Light Infantry Battalion 289 for questioning,” said a resident.

It remains unclear why the three men were detained. DMG was unable to contact junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun for comment.

Junta troops also detained a 25-year-old man from Paloke Taung Ward in Paletwa on October 14, and detained his elder brother, 30, the following day. They also detained a teacher and a

resident on October 6.

The number of residents being detained by the junta on suspicion of having ties to the AA is increasing in Arakan State and neighbouring Paletwa Township following the renewed fighting.