Fifteen ethnic Chin people went missing amid clashes between the Myanmar army and Arakan Army (AA) in Paletwa Township, Chin State, and AA should not threaten or arrest any civilians who are not involved in fighting, according to a statement issued by the Khumi Affairs Coordination Council (KACC) on October 20.

In October 2018 also, three persons from Yatchaung Village in Paletwa Township went missing while they went hunting in the forest and there is no report yet about their discovery, the statement pointed out.

It also said that Kyaw Aye, aged 58, from Thantaung Village, while returning home by boat, was arrested and taken by AA on June 14 this year.

"Now there have been about 15 persons who went missing. In a previous statement also, we announced 10 people missing. Most of the cases are related to AA. For some cases, we didn't receive any information. We don't know if they are dead or alive," said Saw Mya from the council.

Four men from Baungwa Village, Paletwa Township, while working  at Kaladan bridge project site, were arrested and taken away by an armed group and they have gone missing till today. Likewise, one man from Thantaung Village was arrested by AA and went missing. In another case, one man from Namchaung Village was arrested.

Moreover, two men from Wunchaungwa Village were arrested by an armed group and  went missing on September 14, while a couple from Thayagon Village  went missing on October 5. The wife was about six months pregnant at that time, the KACC statement said.

"We want to see those arrested who are not concerned with fighting released so that they can reunite with their families. I want to say this to both government and AA officials. They (armed groups) they rise against the government because of lack of equality. But they should not have done anything unfair," said Saw Mya.