After the Military arrested the boat owner and 2 others who were transporting medicine for a regional hospital in Ngapathon Village in Myaypon Township, Rakhine State, the police released them on bail, but the case is still open under the drug law.

Those who have been prosecuted are residents from Ngapathon Village, 55-year-old U Thein Bu Che, the boat owner, 50-year-old U Maung Khin Win, the mechanic and 45-year-old U Aye Tun, the captain of the vessel.

On September 25, while their boat was carrying necessary medicine for the regional hospital, a military vessel intercepted and arrested them near Minphu Village in Pauktaw Township. Then a case was opened under Section 19(b) of the National Medicines Law at Sittwe No. 2 Police Station, one of the crews told Narinjara.

“We were bringing the medicine needed for the regional hospital on our boat. But the navy intercepted us and handed us over to the police station. Then they opened the case against us. Both the boat and Medicines were confiscated. They also questioned where the medicine was going to be taken. We explained to them that the medicine was for the regional hospital in Ngapathon Village and we called Doctor Win Naing Soe to clarify the matter. Then they arrested the Doctor too”, he said.

All three boat crew members were released on bail on September 27. Dr. Win Naing Soe was arrested by the military council on September 27 and released on October 5.

The Military Council troops arrested a man over 60-year-old who was selling medicine in a market of Mrauk-U on October 3, but he was released the next day.

Similarly, on September 6, Doctor Kyaw Thura Tun, who opened a clinic in Taungup Township, was arrested and charged by the Military Council.