Aung Htein — The military will release three out of five people detained last month in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, and plans to take action against the other two under Myanmar’s Counter-Terrorism Law and Export Import Law, according to the Tatmadaw True News Information Team.

On June 27, Light Infantry Battalion No. 539 detained the five people traveling in a white Toyota WISH near Kansauk Mountain while they were on their way to Ponnagyun Township to attend a funeral, according to the families of the detainees.

The Tatmadaw interrogated the driver U Tun Aye Maung and his four passengers — U Bo Kyaw Than, U Aung Naing Soe, U San Win Naing and U Myint Zaw — and subsequently arrested all five of them.

In a June 29 statement, the Tatmadaw said photos showing landmine-making activities and U Bo Kyaw Than holding a remote detonator were found on U Bo Kyaw Than’s mobile phone.  

The Tatmadaw will take action against U Bo Kyaw Than under the Counter-Terrorism Law and U Tun Aye Maung under the Export Import Law, the latter for possession of an unlicensed vehicle and fake license. The remaining three detainees will be released, the Tatmadaw’s statement said.

Ko Min Min Tun, the younger brother of Ko Aung Naing Soe, said that as of June 30, the Tatmadaw had yet to release the three detainees.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the month of May saw 13 people charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law and 65 others arrested but not charged in Arakan State.