Angry over a lawsuit against three ward/village administrators and one civilian in Myebon Township, Rakhine State, under the anti-terrorism law, over 60 other administrators have put up their resignations, according to local sources.

The township has nine wards with 59 village-tracts. Over 60 administrators submitted their resignation letters on June 5, and called on their own department (General Administration Department) to protect them.

They said they resigned of their own accord as they feel that they have no life guarantee or security.

“As of the second day of this month, administrators have been arrested one after another. Police came to their homes and took them away. Sometimes, police came to them saying that there was a meeting at the department and took and arrested them. They were arrested and charged under the anti-terrorism law. We are working under the General Administration Department that does not protect us at all. We no longer want to work. I want to say that they should act in accord with the law. I want our administrators released,” an administrator spoke on the condition of anonymity.  

 The three arrestees are Ywathitkay Ward Administrator Kyaw Myint, Angu Village Administrator Maung Zaw and Northern Ward Administrator Aung Than, who are facing charges under Section 50/52 of the anti-terrorism law.

The Myebon Township administrator could not be reached about information as he switched off the phone.