Published 12:18 IST, November 5th 2019
Government of India secures release of 5 Indians abducted in Myanmar
Timely intervention by the Government of India has successfully ensured that the release of five abducted India Nationals from the Arakan Army in Myanmar
- India News
- 3 min read
After Indian nationals had been held hostage by a terrorist group called Arakan Army in Myanmar, timely intervention by the Government of India (GOI) has successfully ensured that release of five abducted India Nationals, according to a press release. The press release further states that the GOI has also successfully ensure the release of a Member of Myanmar Parliament and four other Myanmar nationals from Arakan Army in the Rakhine State of Myanmar. The hostages were released in the early hours of November 4, 2019.
'The abducted Indians were currently engaged in building the Kaladan road project'
The press release further states that “On November 3, these five Indian nationals, along with a Member of Myanmar Parliament, two local transporters and two speedboat operators were abducted by Arakan Army on way from Paletwa in Chin State to Kyauktaw in Rakhine state in Myanmar. The abducted Indians were currently engaged in building the Kaladan road project in Myanmar.” In an unfortunate incident one of the hostages an Indian national has passed away while in custody of the Arakan Army, the press release added that, “he was a chronic diabetes patient. The released Indian nationals, along with the dead body of the deceased, have reached Sittwe and will be leaving for Yangon today for onward journey to India.”
Arakan Army spokesperson reportedly expressed grief
The Arakan Army spokesperson reportedly expressed grief and said they are 'deeply sorry' for the Indians' family, and then let the survivors go. The medics tried everything to save the man, however, he died in a span of short time due to exhaustion. The group had stopped two speedboats carrying men on November 3 and took them in for interrogation. However, one died, who is identified as 60-year-old Vinoo Gopal. Ten people were taken into Arakan Army's custody, five of which were Indians and also includes a lawmaker from leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League Democracy. The ethnic rebels have released everyone except the MP because according to the AA spokesperson, it was the MP who targetted the Indians and not them.
Who are the Arakan Army?
The Arakan Army was established in 2009 by ethnic Rakhine Buddhists with an objective to seek greater autonomy from the central government. The rebel group wants self-determination for the multi-ethnic Arakanese population. Commander-in-chief Twan Mrat Naing currently leads the Army. In January 2019, around 300 members of the Arakan Army had launched a bloody attack on four border police outposts in which 13 members of Border Guard Police (BGP) were killed. In March as well, they attacked Yoe-ta-yoke Police Station, reportedly killing nine policemen.
Updated 19:33 IST, November 5th 2019