Eyewitnesses in Myanmar's Mon state revealed to Radio Free Asia (RFA), that the Myanmar junta's navy arrested approximately 80 Rohingya individuals as they tried to flee the country by boat. The incident, reported on Thursday, occurred early Tuesday morning near Kaleguak Island in the Andaman Sea, just off the shores of Ye township.

Aung Myat Kyaw Sein, the spokesperson for the Mon state junta, confirmed the arrest but noted that specific details were yet to be verified. While the estimated number of detainees is around 80, Sein stated that the genders of the individuals remain unknown, and further official procedures are pending.

Assuring proper treatment in custody, Sein emphasized that authorities would adhere to official protocols. The arrested Rohingya were aboard a vessel named Zwel Khit San, though their departure point and intended destination remain undisclosed.

The Rohingya minority, targeted in a genocide by Myanmar's military in 2017, has faced severe persecution, prompting many to seek refuge in neighboring countries following the 2021 coup. Instances of attempted escape have often resulted in arrests, with over 200 Rohingya detained by junta forces in October and November 2023.

Myanmar's imposition of military service laws further exacerbated tensions, compelling young Burmese men and women to serve under threat of imprisonment. Reports also indicate coercive tactics used by troops, including offering freedom of movement to Rohingya in exchange for support.

Recent arrests in Mon state, including the detention of 117 Rohingya individuals in January, underscore the ongoing persecution faced by the minority group. The situation has contributed to a significant loss of life, with the UN Refugee Agency reporting the deaths and disappearances of at least 569 Rohingya individuals in 2023 alone.

BOB Post