At least 5 civilians from Tanugup and Kyaukphyu Townships were arrested by the Military Council earlier this week. 4 of the arrested were from Taungup and the other 1 was from Kyaukphyu.

4 Taungup residents arrested by the Military Council were 36-year-old 100-house-group-elder U Ko Gyi from Hman Ni Village, U Zaw Htay and U Khin Hla, both are 52-year-old and from the same village, 40-year-old U Win Naing from Kyokyarkwin Village.

The 100-house-group-elder U Ko Gyi and his companion U Zaw Htay were arrested at Phayakoesu Checkpoint while going shopping in Taungup on the evening of October 10.

“The two men went shopping in the city. They were arrested at the Phayakoesu Checkpoint on their way back from the city. They were arrested after soldiers checked them out. We don't know yet why they were arrested”, a local said.

Similarly, the Military Council troops entered Hman Ni Village at around 7:30 PM of October 11 and took U Khin Hla in custody. Kyokyarkwin Villager U Win Naing was also arrested at home at around 11:00 PM the same night.

In addition, 30-year-old gym trainer Ko Tin Tun who lives in officers’ quarters was also arrested by the Military Council troops.

He was arrested by the soldiers when he was returning home from the gym in Kalabartaung Ward.

“I have never seen him. I heard that he opened a gym in Kalabartaung and worked as a trainer. He was arrested while returning home around 7:30 PM. I don't know why he was arrested. A phone call around 9:00 PM informed about his arrest”, a resident from officers’ quarters who did not want to be named.  

Before that, on the nights of October 6 and 7, the Army searched Ko Tin Tun's home in the officer's quarters.

Since the resurgence of fighting in Rakhine, the Military Council has been conducting arrests on civilians. Until now, hundreds of civilians have been arrested and some are vanishing without contact with their families.