19th-21st October, 2021

 

Nearly 2,600 people were released from six prisons across the country in the past two days under the junta’s amnesty, but 110 of them were arrested again immediately or hours later, according to the AAPP. Family members of the detainees told the media that they were re-arrested for other charges such as counter-terrorism law. Rearresting political prisoners has been widely criticized on social media for causing serious traumas to the detainees and their families. The junta has not made any comment on the circumstances yet.

U Mya Aye, one of the strike leaders of the 1988 uprising, was not among those released and his lawyer told Myanmar Now that his health is deteriorating, and he could not walk due to an infection. He was detained in Yangon’s Insein Prison since 1 February. According to the Myanmar Journalist Network, a total of 11 journalists were released on 18 and 19 October.

A convoy of about 50 army trucks from Falam, Chin State, arrived in Hakha on 20 October, according to locals on social media. Series of ambushes carried out by CNF/CDF/CNDF joint forces along the Hakha-Falam Road destroyed about 16 military trucks and killed more than 20 troops, CNF’s spokesperson told local media. On 19 October, locals told the Chin Journal that the junta troops looted more than 100 houses in Ramthlo village between Hakha and Falam.

Police Chief Lt-Gen Than Hlaing suffered minor head injuries in a PDF’s landmine attack in Myaung Township, Sagaing Region, on 16 October. He was reportedly on medical leave, junta sources told News Ambassador. On 20 October, in Indaw Township, Sagaing Region, KIA/PDF joint forces ambushed the junta troops, killing at least 30, according to The 74 Media.

Fighting between the MNDAA (Kokang) and the junta troops in northern Shan State has intensified, and a video of the junta using the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) has also surfaced on social media. On 19 October, the MNDAA announced that 18 bodies and ammunition of junta troops were seized during a clearing operation. Klo FM reports that seven junta troops, including an acting battalion commander, were killed by the KNU's 6th Brigade in Ye Township, Mon State, and that the junta has not yet recovered their bodies.

Counsellor of the US Secretary of State Derek Chollet and Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan discussed about Myanmar crisis and agreed not to allow junta’ representative to attend upcoming ASEAN summit and related meetings. Derek Chollet also wrote on his social media account that he discussed measures to limit the overseas financial assets of the junta with Monetary Authority of Singapore Deputy Managing Director. The UK government has said it will not allow the junta to attend the G-7 ASEAN ministers' meeting in person in Britain.