In April 2024, following the incident of the KNF bank robbery, around 200 Bawm men, women, and children became victims of mass arrests by the joint security forces. Many of them have remained in prison for nearly a year and a half without trial, as repeated bail petitions were denied. Due to the prolonged legal process, state negligence, and lack of justice, two Bawm detainees have died in custody and received posthumous release.Update on the arrested Bawm citizens (as of 11 October 2025):
Released from the 2024 arrests:
Men: 57
Women and children: 21
Total: 78
Released from 2022 and 2023 arrests:
Men: 23
Total released: 101
Total arrested: 197
Currently in prison: 96
Women: 9
Men: 87
We strongly demand the unconditional release of all innocent Bawm detainees and a judicial investigation into the custodial deaths to ensure accountability for those responsible.
