Local residents have reported that the military forces are conducting arrests of Rakhine internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kwin Gyi village tract, Laymyethna Township, Ayeyarwady Region, accusing them of having connections with the Arakan Army (AA). On March 15 around 8 PM, military forces raided the Kwin Gyi village tract and began systematically searching for and arresting Rakhine IDPs. They arrested two individuals – a young Rakhine IDP from Aung Zan Kwin village and U Aung Win from Zeepin Kwin village – under allegations of having ties with the AA.
The whereabouts of the two arrested Rakhine IDPs remain unknown, and their families have completely lost contact with them. The military council troops conducted extensive searches throughout the villages in the Kwin Gyi village tract, with operations lasting several hours. Additionally, Win Soe Oo and Zaw Htun Lat from Aung Zan Kwin village, who had attended Pyu Saw Htee training, were seen carrying military-issued numbered batons and participating in house searches. They have been threatening villagers not to have any involvement with the AA. These actions have created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the local population, particularly among the displaced persons who have sought refuge in the area.
A local resident stated, ‘The military forcefully entered the villages in Kwin Gyi tract of Laymyethna Township. They are targeting and arresting Rakhine IDPs who fled from Rakhine State, accusing them of AA connections. So far, we can confirm two arrests, but we’re unsure if there have been more. The military continues to deploy troops throughout the villages and conduct extensive searches.’ The military council’s actions have caused significant concern among the local population, with IDPs particularly worried about their safety and security. The systematic targeting of displaced persons, who have already fled conflict in their home regions, represents a concerning pattern of persecution by the military forces against vulnerable populations.
