Security forces yesterday arrested chief of Myanmar's antigovernment guerrilla group National United Party of Arakan (NUPA), Tai Jo Khoy, and his three associates at Naikkhongchhari. BDR sources confirmed the arrest but did not disclose the whereabouts of the arrestees. But a well-placed source said the four were being interrogated in a secret place and they have disclosed significant information about hidden firearms and ammunition. | Don't go for any late nite drives... |
The operation was part of an army-BDR joint anticrime campaign in Bandarban that began on May 21. Security forces had seized huge caches of arms and ammunition from Naikkhongchhari border in several operations last year and early this year. There were press reports over the last few years that some Myanmar rebels have taken shelter and set up temporary camps in Naikkhong-chhari. They are engaged in the smuggling of firearms, using the region as transit route. The government, however, termed the information false. After Tai Jo's arrest, sources in the security forces said they are verifying the information.
Sources said a section of NUPA leaders split and formed Democratic Party of Arakan (DPA) to wage armed struggle against the Myanmar government. The DPA, which is operating in the remote jungles of Myanmar, India and Bangladesh, also runs firearms trade.