Lay Waddy FM

September 3, 2026

Parents of youths detained in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, on suspicion of drug use have submitted appeals calling for transparent investigations and the release of those found not to have committed any offense, according to family members.

Parents of 17 detained youths jointly submitted an appeal calling for the case to be handled transparently, while the parent of another student submitted a separate appeal, according to sources familiar with the matter.

“It has been three months since they were arrested. We have not been allowed to meet them, and we cannot even send them food or drinks. We are becoming increasingly worried,” the mother of one detainee told Lay Waddy FM.

“If they are going to be prosecuted, we want the case to be handled openly and transparently. If they are not guilty, we want all of them to be released,” she said.

The parents reportedly submitted an appeal to the township-level authorities, but were told that the letter could not be forwarded to the central authorities, according to the mother.

Under normal legal procedures, people arrested for suspected drug use are expected to be investigated and, if sufficient evidence establishes an offense, brought before a court and prosecuted.

Once a case reaches court, defendants should have access to legal representation and be given the opportunity to openly defend themselves in accordance with due process.

Separately, the father of Kyauktaw High School student Maung Shwe Aye, also known as Tha Bu Shwe, said members of an armed group had told his family that his son had been sent for military recruitment.

“Some members of ULA/AA came to our house and told us that my son, Maung Shwe Aye, had been sent for military recruitment. As a student, we cannot accept our son being forced to serve in the military, so we have submitted an appeal to the authorities,” his father told Lay Waddy FM.

Around 20 young people are currently out of contact with their families, according to relatives. They include Maung Aung Myo Lwin, Maung Aung Myo Set, Maung Htun Wai, Maung Maung Chay, Maung Maung Gyi, Maung Ko Naing Chay, Maung Nyein Chan, Maung Kyaw Soe Min, Maung Kyaw Naing Than, Maung Myo Myint Aung and Maung Soe Myat Tun, among others.

The families said the detainees are from several wards in Kyauktaw, including Paik Theik and Myothit, as well as other parts of the town.

The detentions followed a crackdown in Kyauktaw Township in late July, when members of the DLEP unit reportedly arrested 77 men and women over alleged drug use and drug trafficking. Seven members of the DLEP unit were also reportedly among those detained.

On August 11, 19 students and young people were reportedly released after screening, according to local sources.

The families are now calling for the remaining detainees to be located, given access to their relatives and legal counsel, and either prosecuted through a transparent judicial process or released if no wrongdoing is established.