More than 30 civilians, including an ethnic Rakhine politician, have been arrested in Rakhine State by the Tatmadaw for alleged links to the Arakan Army, the state’s chief minister has told The Myanmar Times, as he criticised both sides for recent fighting.
In an exclusive interview yesterday, U Maung Maung Ohn said the Tatmadaw was continuing to make arrests under the colonial-era Unlawful Association Act, and that its actions had created “great fear” among the population.
“The Tatmadaw is not making peace and also the AA has continued fighting,” he said. “Their actions appear to veer them from the peace process and as a result armed conflict is continuing in Myanmar.”
The chief minister’s criticism of the Tatmadaw’s conduct in Rakhine State is surprising, as he only resigned from the military in June 2014 to take up the post. At the time of his retirement he held the rank of major general, and had served as deputy minister for border affairs.
Those charged under section 17(1) of the act, for contacting an illegal organisation, face up to two years’ imprisonment.
A colonel in the Tatmadaw’s Public Relations and Psychological Warfare section said yesterday that it was “impossible” that the Tatmadaw had detained civilians in Rakhine State but declined to comment further.
The conflict has also spilled over into the domestic political sphere, with the Tatmadaw on April 29 allegedly detaining U Zaw Win Maung, an executive committee member of the Rakhine National Party for Kyauktaw township. The Rakhine politician was arrested in Ywarthit village, the party said.
Secretary U Tun Aung Kyaw said yesterday the army detained 18 civilians from Ywarthit village, including a party member, and five have since been released.
“The army is still holding our member. He hasn’t been released yet. The army justified the arrest of these civilians by saying they suspected them of harming the region’s security,” said U Tun Aung Kyaw, a lower house representative for Ponnagyun.
The RNP released the statement on April 29 saying that innocent people had been arrested and tortured on suspicion of involvement with the AA. The party urged the government to ensure the legal rights of those detained are respected.
RNP official U Aye Thar Aung said the government should not be indifferent to the military’s actions. “I don’t understand why the government is ignoring this. They should be protecting civilians,” he said.
Clashes between the Tatmadaw and the AA broke out in late March, with the heaviest fighting occurring on April 17 and 18. The most recent clashes occurred on April 23.
The Tatmadaw began detaining civilians over the past week. The arrests were confirmed by Police Major Khin Maung of Kyauktaw township police on April 26, but he declined to comment further yesterday.
“These arrests were made under a military operation so we can’t speak about it,” Pol Maj Khin Maung said yesterday.
Lieutenant Colonel Nyo Tun Aung, the deputy commander-in-chief of the AA, said they were being arrested because they were depicted in images on phones found on AA soldiers captured by the Tatmadaw.
The fighting has displaced more than 400 people, who have taken refuge in neighbouring villages, according to the regional government. Local aid groups say the number of displaced is at least 540.
“The state government is helping these people. Now, more than 300 people have returned to their homes and 100 people are still living in refugee camps. They are scared of more fighting,” U Maung Maung Ohn said.
