Twenty-three people, including women, were arrested from two boats in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, by a military vessel of the junta.
A source told Narinjara, "The brokers sent them to the rural areas. The brokers were not on the boats. There were two boats carrying a total of 23 people, both women and men, who were young. They were arrested by the navy patrolling the mouth of the Kyaukphyu River."
Locals reported that each individual had to pay more than 500,000 kyats to the brokers, who share the money with junta authorities, to return to their homes from Kyaukphyu town.
A resident reported that the arrests occurred on the night of September 7 by the navy patrolling the mouth of the Kyaukphyu River and that the detainees have since been taken to the Kyaukphyu police station.
“At first, the navy arrested them. They were then handed over to the police, so they are currently at the city police station of Kyaukphyu. I believe they will be fined and may be released, but I cannot say for certain. There have been instances in the past where they were released after paying fines,” he said.
The brokers are working with the coast guard of the junta in the city and other relevant parties; however, they may have been arrested because the navy did not grant permission, according to a source on the ground.
"The brokers only operate within the city. They are unable to intercept people at sea. If someone escapes by land, they are caught in the water. The local population is the one suffering while the brokers remain on the run."
There are also reports that the brokers who trafficked people on these boats are evading capture and are being pursued by junta-affiliated groups, including the military.
Locals report that those who returned to their homes in Arakan had been in Thailand, Malaysia, and Yangon, but are stuck in Kyaukpyu town because the junta authorities have not permitted them to leave for their intended destinations.
Kyaukpyu is a restricted area, with increased security measures in place due to the ongoing conflict with the Arakan Army (AA).
According to residents, hundreds of people are stranded in Kyaukpyu town and have only been allowed to leave the city for a limited time (two days a week) since the end of August.
