Pyidaungsu Hluttaw call for release of Chin MP, staff and civilians

14 November 2019
Pyidaungsu Hluttaw call for release of Chin MP, staff and civilians
Union Parliament, Nay Pyi Taw. Photo: EPA

Speaker of Pyidaungsu Hluttaw said they submitted an urgent proposal on the release by the Arakan Army (AA) of U Whet Ting, representative of constituency 11 of Chin State, and captured staff and civilians today.

The urgent proposal was submitted by Dr Hla Moe, secretary of Hluttaw Rights Committee of Pyithu Hluttaw.

Dr Hla Moe stated in his urgent proposal - Detaining U Whet Ting is “against National Reconciliation and Peace Making Process which is carried out by the State and [the detention] is against people’s wishes and representatives. So he demanded to release U Whet Ting including staff and civilians as quickly as possible.

Mizzima Media phoned Khaing Thukha, a spokesman of AA, there was no answer.

Amyotha Hluttaw representative U Whet Ting from Chin State Constituency (11), Paletwa Township, 5 Indians, 2 Translator and a speed boat driver were arrested by AA (Arakan Army) while travelling to Kyauk Taw from Paletwa, Rakhine State in the morning of 3 November 2019.

9 detainees were released except U Whet Ting the following day. But an Indian, Mr.Vinoo Gopal, died of a heart attack.

AA made a statement which said they arrested U Whet Ting because of his involvement in activities against Arakan Army (AA), propagandizing Tamadaw’s policies, and disuniting minorities through hate speech. They also said they received evidence from U Whet Ting in a statement released on November 10.

AA stated they will take action against anyone who in similar cases during their revolution.

Moreover, they issued a statement on November 3 which said they were willing to exchange captives for AA partisans.

In the name list of detainees whom they want to exchange, the name of U Whet Ting was excluded only those of policemen and soldiers abducted from Shwe Nadi Speed boat.