Junta-aligned Pyu-Saw-Htee militia members in Pwintbyu Township, Magway Region arrested a young man when they found out he was from Arakan State and then sold his possessions and phone.

The man was arrested on the Pwintbyu to Shauktaw Bridge in Pwintbyu Township during the second week of January when the Pyu Saw Htee militia asked to see his National Identity Card (NIC) which identified him as being from Arakan State.

A resident of Pwintbyu Township said: “The young man was arrested by Pyu-Saw-Htee members guarding the bridge solely for holding an Arakan NIC. Upon discovering the NIC, they beat him and took him into custody. They confiscated all his belongings, including his phone. The following day, the Pyu-Saw-Htee sold his possessions.”

This is not the first time Arakan NIC holders have been targeted by Pyu-Saw-Htee members at the Pwintbyu to Shauktaw Bridge. Previously, they have given other holders of Arakan State NICs verbal abuse and beatings.

The Pyu-Saw-Htee militia members guarding the Pwintbyu to Shauktaw Bridge routinely extort money from travellers, are frequently seen swearing at local vendors and often try to provoke young people, according to Pwintbyu Township residents.

Previously, In December 2024, the junta arrested six travellers on the Pwintbyu to Salin Road in Pwintbyu Township.

The junta has also been arresting and forcibly conscripting people in Pwintbyu Township.