Arakan News Agency
The naval forces of Myanmar’s military junta arrested six Muslim fishermen while they were fishing in waters near Santawshin Island, off Pauktaw Township in Arakan State, according to local sources.
A local resident told local media that the fishermen were on a boat near Thakkaybin Auk Village when they were intercepted by a naval patrol vessel at around 8:00 p.m. on January 27. The source said the soldiers threatened them at gunpoint before arresting them and taking them away to an unknown location.
The detained fishermen were identified as Oyaman (36) and Sarulaman (26) from West Muslim Village in Pauktaw, Horimali (26) from Nat Chin Village, and Mamauk Aro (25), Yarmarmaung (20), and Shorshilami (25) from Thakkaybin Auk Village.
Local sources said naval boats have recently been operating without lights, making them difficult to detect from a distance, while conducting constant patrols along the Sittwe–Pauktaw water route.
The source added that residents continue to fish despite the risks due to a lack of alternative livelihoods, noting that arrests have become frequent and that detainees are rarely released.
Another source from Sittwe said the six fishermen are currently being held at Sittwe Police Station No. (1), where several previously arrested individuals remain in custody.
The source added that many Muslims from Pauktaw have been arrested in the past, with some never released, and that there are reports of others being sent to military training camps. The charges against the six newly detained fishermen remain unknown.
On December 22, 2025, Myanmar’s naval forces reportedly arrested 28 Muslim fishermen from three boats near Pannanthar Island while they were fishing. They have not been released to date.
Similarly, on November 11, 2025, five fishermen from Phadu Village were detained near Pannanthe Island and taken toward Kyaukphyu.
Coastal areas of Arakan State have seen an escalation in security measures in recent months amid ongoing conflict between Myanmar’s military and Arakan militias (separatist Buddhist), leading to intensified naval patrols and movement restrictions.
These measures have had a direct impact on local communities, particularly Muslims who rely on fishing as their primary source of livelihood.
