Interview
Border News Agency
Mrauk-U, September 4.
In July, the Union of Arakan/Arakha Army (ULA/AA) arrested 77 men and women in Kyauk Taw Township, which is controlled by the Arakha Army (AA), including seven members of the D-LAP group, on allegations related to drug use, drug possession, and drug trafficking.
Among them, 19 students and young people were officially handed back to their families on August 11, and some others were also subsequently released.
However, the remaining 17 have not yet been released, and their family members have been unable to contact them. As a result, the families held a press conference yesterday, September 3.
Border News Agency presents the account of one of the family members:
“We want to see them. We want them to be released. We also want justice. We want them to have equal rights as the others. More than 70 people were arrested in total. Of those arrested, eight members of DELEPs have already been released. In addition, 19 students and minors have been released. Another 24 people were also released in connection with possession cases.”
“The remaining 17 have been completely hidden from us. We cannot see them, and we cannot contact them. At a meeting, we were told that everyone related to WY would be released. Because of that, we expected them to be released. But in the end, these 17 were not released at all and have disappeared.”
“That is why we are extremely worried. We do not know where the children are being kept. According to information we have received, we heard that they have already been sent to a training school.”
“We heard that the children did not want to join, but they were forced to join.”
“Since we had nowhere else to turn, we went to the township party office to seek advice. We submitted an appeal to them. But the party office told us that they could not forward the appeal we submitted.”
“We want these children to be released. Nothing was found in their possession. They were simply arrested. In some cases, the children were taken away after being told that they would only be taken for a brief inspection at their homes. Some were also arrested on the road. They were taken away in a vehicle that drove around and picked them up.”
“At a meeting, they also said that everyone would be released. When they were taken away, members of the intelligence team were also involved. Members of the DELEPs were involved as well, along with ward administrators.”
“What I want to say to the responsible authorities is that we want our children to be released with mercy. We appeal to the authorities and urge them to release our sons and daughters.”
“Our only wish is for our children to be released equally, just like the children who have already been released. We have submitted an appeal letter.”
“The party office told us that they had not forwarded the letter. They said they had received information from their side and that the children would be released after being given a punishment involving physical exercise. After the punishment, the other children were released, but our children have still not been released. According to what we have heard, they have already arrived at a training school.”
“Our children said they did not want to join, but we do not know what kind of circumstances or intentions were involved when they were taken away.”
“There are no girls among them. All 17 are boys. All the girls have already been released. Among those arrested, the youngest is 21 years old, and the oldest is 39.”
