October 15, 2024.
In Myeik, Tanintharyi Region, nearly 200 youths attempting to travel to Thailand have been arrested by the military and are reportedly being sent to military detention units, according to accounts from those who have been released.
Among those arrested are individuals from various ethnic groups, including Rakhine, Chin, and Mon, with reports indicating that these youths were attempting to leave the country. They were intercepted by the military at the Kyae Ku Bridge on their way out from Myeik in five vehicles.
A 28-year-old woman who was recently released shared, “We left in five vehicles. We were intercepted at the Kyae Ku Bridge in Myeik. There were about 60 Rakhine people among us, with many others from Chin and Mon regions. In total, there were over 180 of us.”
It is reported that on the night of October 6, around 7 PM, military personnel and police jointly carried out the arrests, rounding up many youths over the age of 18 and taking them to military camps.
Witnesses indicate that during the arrest, the military fired several warning shots, compelling many youths to disembark from their vehicles and lie on the road. Subsequently, those who were in the vehicles were taken to a military camp in Myeik, while some were sent to the Khet Tha Si Inn.
A man over 40 who was also released recounted, “While we were traveling, military trucks followed us and opened fire. When we stopped the vehicles, they had guns aimed at us and forced everyone to the ground. They searched each individual and took them to a military camp in Myeik. Some were taken to Khet Tha Si Hotel. I was released after they checked my ID and saw I was over 40.”
While some men and women over 40 have been released, over 140 individuals remain detained, according to accounts from those who escaped.
The arrested individuals include many from Rakhine State, including from Ramree, Laytaung, Kyauktaw, Maungdaw, and Taungoo, with reports also indicating that many Muslims from the Mon region are among them.
A woman who was released stated, “As of now, no one else has been released, according to what we know. Some have been sent to military training units. We also heard that the three people who were escorting them have been arrested as well, and they have not been released yet.”
The military has been obstructing many youths from leaving the country, and several who were captured in Thailand and subsequently freed are also being detained and forced into military service.
