Seven brick-makers were detained by the junta on the evening of 18th September, according to the owner of the brick kiln where they worked.

A brick kiln owner said: “There are more than 30 male and female workers at my brick kiln, most are young. Seven [workers] from my kiln were captured. The detained are originally from Sagaing Region, but they have been working here for over seven years. We don’t know where they are being detained. I heard that brick-makers from other factories have been arrested, but I don’t know exactly how many.”

Most of the people working in the Madaya Township brick kilns are from Sagaing and Magwe regions and have been working there for many years.

A local said: “They have been living here for quite a long time. I feel bad about them getting arrested. They weren’t a part of any anti-junta groups. Those kids are just workers, I hope they will be freed soon.

According to an eyewitness, nearly 30 people were arrested in Madaya and taken away in a covered military truck.

As of 19 September, no one has had any contact with the arrested workers and their family members are worried, according to locals.