The Naf Waves, June 3, 2026
The AA released some innocent civilians who were temporarily detained during the Baykhla village uprising in Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, on June 2.
On May 23, during a meeting held by the AA in Baykhla village regarding the National Defence Emergency Provision (NDEP), villagers mistakenly attacked AA troops with sticks and knives. During the uprising, some villagers were temporarily detained by the AA, and 89 of them were released back to their homes. The 89 released include 28 men, 33 women, and 28 children.
A man who was released said, “It is true that (89) people have been released. Thank you for releasing them. I am happy to see that the village is now peaceful.
“ULA/AA officials, members of the district committee, village officials and village elders gathered in the village to urge all ethnic groups to join together in the reconstruction of the country, to be careful of incitement by some people who want to gain political advantage, and to prevent such unrest in the future. “During the unrest, people were detained together because they were confused.
The Arakan Army questioned us about what they had to investigate and released us because we were not guilty. The rest are being investigated again,” said a woman who was released. Relevant officials of the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government also said that those who were arrested and found guilty will not be prosecuted but will only be given lenient social punishments.
Bak Hla village is located near Taung Pyaw sub-township on the Arakan-Bangladesh border and has a population of approximately 700 people, with 155 households.
It is reported that terrorist groups such as ARSA and RSO frequently move along the border near the village, targeting civilians and carrying out kidnappings and abductions. Photo: Some of the released villagers of Thein Ba Hla (The Naf Waves)
