The Tatmadaw has accused the Arakan Army (AA) of detaining a police officer from the force based in Mrauk-U, Arakan State, on the morning of April 26.

In a statement, the military said a police lance-corporal and a police private who were serving with the police force in Mrauk-U went shopping at a market in the town on Sunday. On their way back from the market, the men were surrounded by eight AA soldiers in civilian clothes near a cashew nut plantation on Yadana Manaung Pagoda Road and the private was detained, according to the statement.

In recent weeks, multiple media outlets that have used the AA as a source in their reporting have faced charges under the Counter-Terrorism Law and as such, at this time DMG is opting not to contact the AA for comment regarding the Tatmadaw’s accusation.

An anonymous Mrauk-U resident said locals had heard that a policeman was detained. The resident added that Tatmadaw soldiers entered town wards and questioned people after the alleged incident.

“The wards have been checked and pedestrians have been questioned. Their mobile phones were checked as well,” he said.

The sound of gunfire was also reportedly heard by Mrauk-U residents at around 10 p.m. on the same day of the alleged abduction, and a local food shop in the town’s Nyaung Pin Zay ward was hit by an artillery shell on April 27, injuring two women and one man.

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Police forces who serve in Arakan State. Photo: DMG