Myanmar's military and police force are working together to restore regional peace and get information to save 19 fire brigade members and 12 civilians arrested by Arakan Army (AA), said Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, secretary of Tatmadaw (Military) True News Information Team. 

A Shwepyithit passenger bus left Mandalay for Sittway, Rakhine State, on October 10. Driven by Nyi Nyi Hein from Aungpinle Ward, Chanmyathazi Township, the bus carried two bus crew members, officer Myint Zaw from Rakhine State Fire Service Department, 18 firefighters who had just completed training, and 12 civilians totalling 31. 

A man wearing a sports suit waved for the bus to stop at mile post (127) in Mrauk-U Township on October 11 in the morning. Then about 10 AA members arrived and took the passengers into the forest. 

"In cooperation with police, we are trying to restore community peace and get information. In the evening on that day, there were clashes. We are in hot pursuit of them," said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. 

AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha said fire brigade members were arrested because they are an auxiliary force of the military, which the military denied. 

"It is not true. All know that they are fire brigade members. In the past, fire brigade members participated in celebration of Armed Forces Day. Later, they are not part of us. They have been excluded from the military. We do not give duty to them," he said. 

There have been clashes between Myanmar army and AA in some areas of the townships of Buthidaung, Minbya, Mrauk-U and Kyauktaw in Rakhine State.