NGOs and relief workers operating in Cyclone Mocha-struck Rakhine State have voiced concern over the last 10 days over fears that the Myanmar junta authorities might arrest them or hinder their work, according to reports by Mizzima and Rakhine Communications Hub.

In the latest “incident”, reported by DVB on 5 June, the junta reportedly arrested and interrogated several people who were doing social relief work for the cyclone-affected people in Mrauk-U Township in Rakhine State over allegations of “having links with local media outlets”.

On 2 June, the car of a Mrauk-U-based rescue team was inspected at a checkpoint in Mrauk-U Township and eight people were arrested, according to residents. Some of the detainees were later released, but the leader of the group is reported to still be under arrest, the report says.

This incident comes about 10 days after another NGO group providing aid was arrested, to then be released the following day.

According to the DVB report on the latest incident, there are widespread rumours among the local people that the junta’s security forces may have arrested the charity volunteers following local media reports that the junta authority has not provided effective assistance for those in need, at a time when mainly members of the local social relief community are engaged in the rehabilitation of the cyclone-affected areas.

Recent local and international media reports indicate concerns over delivery of local and international aid to the many people in need in a swathe of the country hit by Cyclone Mocha, with worries many people need shelter and basic food and medicine supplies ahead of the monsoon season, and with a storm brewing off the coast in the Bay of Bengal.