Myanmar: Ethnic rebels release survivors after Indian dies in Rakhine

In the latest escalation of violence in the western state of Rakhine, ethnic rebels released their hostages when one of them, an Indian construction worker died while being a hostage on November 4. The Arakan Army has reportedly changed tactics in the recent weeks in their escalating fight with the Myanmar troops where they took in mass hostages along the rivers and roads of Myanmar. The ethnic armed group recruits from the Buddhist local majority in their quest for larger state autonomy. Tens and thousands of people have been relocated across Rakhine since the clashes began in December. Nearly 740,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled a military crackdown back in 2017 that United Nations investigators have called a genocide. 

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'Deeply sorry' says AA

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 ethical rebels 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. 

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All about 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. The Army is currently led by Commander in chief Twan Mrat Naing. 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.

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(With inputs from agencies)