The Arakan Army (AA) arrested Doctor Aye Kyaw, the acting director of Paletwa Hospital, along with two local men, in Paletwa Town, Paletwa Township, southern Chin State, on 29 September 2024.

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) have controlled Paletwa Town and all of Paletwa Township since mid-January 2024.

A young resident of Paletwa Town said: "The information that three people, including Dr. Aye Kyaw, are being held by the ULA/AA has been confirmed. We've heard that the arrest was not due to a minor accusation but a serious matter, which is why they’re being temporarily detained for interrogation. It’s still uncertain when they will be released.”

The ULA/AA has not yet commented on the arrest of Dr. Aye Kyaw or the other two people arrested with him.

The three of them are currently being detained with 10 residents from Paletwa Township’s Ngashar Village, who were arrested by the AA on 17 September for allegedly supporting the Paletwa Chinland Defence Force (Paletwa CDF).

Currently there is conflict between two Chin factions. On one side there is the Chinland Council and on the other is the Chin Brotherhood. The ULA/AA is allied to the Chin Brotherhood, whereas Paletwa CDF is allied to the Chinland Council.

Dr. Aye Kyaw is a dentist who previously ran his own private dental clinic. He was appointed to be the acting director of Paletwa Hospital by the ULA/AA after they took control of Paletwa's administration.

"He previously ran his own dental clinic before the ULA/AA appointed him as the acting director of Paletwa Hospital, primarily to manage the ULA/AA's healthcare plans. The other two who were arrested with him are his friends,” said the aforementioned Paletwa resident.

Because the ULA/AA started arresting residents of Paletwa Township villages, some families fled to India’s Mizoram State in September.