The situation of two people who have been arrested by the Tatmadaw near Thapyaykan village in Mrauk-U Township on 29 November has not been known so far, regional lawmakers said.

U Seik Phar Chay from Thapyaykan village and U Sein Win Maung, a scrap dealer from Minbya Township, were snatched by the Tatmadaw after a mine blast near Thapyaykan village on 29 November, anonymous Thapyaykan villager said.

“After a mine explosion, gunfire broke out. So, villagers fled to safety. They were arrested by the Tatmadaw then,” the villager said.

U Hla Aung Nyunt, Arakan State Hluttaw MP for Minbya Township, said that he tried to meet Colonel Min Than, minister for Security and Border Affairs in Arakan State to know the location of the detained villagers, but was unsuccessful.

The DMG phoned Colonel Win Zaw Oo from the Western Command to seek comment about the detained villagers, but he was away on a trip.

A total of 503 people in Arakan State have been accused of having ties to the AA and 10 of them have been released so far, the Thazin Legal Aid said on 27 November.