Family says it has had no contact with doctor arrested more than two days ago

A doctor from a hospital in Ingapu, a town in Ayeyarwady region, has not been heard from since his arrest more than two days ago, according to his family.

Dr Pyae Phyo Naing was arrested at his home on Thursday evening for taking part in the growing civil disobedience movement against last week’s coup.

His wife, Dr Phyu Lae Thu, said she had no idea where her husband was being held.

“We went to the police station with a lawyer, but they didn’t let us see him. It’s been more than 24 hours since he was taken, and we still don’t know where he is. I’m worried because he’s not in good health,” she said.

At the time of his arrest, police told him he had been charged under the Natural Disaster Management Law, but his wife said she did not know the exact nature of his alleged offense.

The law, which has been used to impose restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19, has also targeted those taking part in political rallies. 

According to Aung Myat Thu, an official working for the public health department, Dr Pyae Phyo Naing was taken first to the Ingapu police station and then transferred to the Kwin Taut regional training centre (5).

Doctors and other healthcare workers were among the first to join the nationwide civil disobedience movement that started in the days after the army seized power on February 1. 

The movement has since been joined by thousands of public employees around the country and has come under increasing pressure from the authorities.

On Wednesday, Prof Zaw Wai Soe, the vice chair of Yangon’s Covid-19 task force and rector of the University of Medicine 1 Yangon, was detained for two hours and questioned about his role in the movement.

While there have been no reports of other doctors being arrested in Yangon, those working in smaller communities are more vulnerable and in need of public support, organizers of the movement said.

On Saturday morning, hundreds of people, including civil servants, gathered at the Ingapu police station to demand Dr Pyae Phyo Naing’s release.