Arakan Army frees seven Chin abductees

04 January 2016 — The Arakan Army released seven Chin farmers, including two mothers, who were detained in Paletwa Township, Chin State on 31 December 2015.

The two mothers were taken back to their village, Nga-win-taung, around 4pm on New Year’s Day while the other five from both Pyinngu and Nga-win-taung were freed yesterday.

AA soldiers stopped and took the villagers away for no reasons while they were on the way to their farms, according to the Khumi Media Group.

“People were taken for guide before. But it’s different this time because there were two mothers among those detained,” a villager told the KMG on condition of anonymity.

KMG Editor Peter Lawilu said that all of the seven detainees were safely back to their villages and in good condition.

“The AA is currently detaining more than seven villagers in the jungle. However, we are not able to confirm the number yet,” he added.

He said that Burma Army soldiers camping in the area had not taken any action although village leaders had informed them of the incidents.

There was a brief fire exchange between AA soldiers and the Burma Army near Pyinngu after the two mothers had been returned.

Clashes between the two groups have taken place since March last year, forcing nearly 400 Chin residents to flee their village.

“People live in fear. They dare not go out of the village as they are often captured on the way to their farms. If they cannot go to work on their farms, what will they eat?” Lawilu said.#