The12 arrived in Hakha town, capital of Chin state by bus on August 9 and from Hakha, Tactical commander Major General Hung Ngaih sent them back to their respective places without any harassment, said a local in Chin state.

"Hung Ngaih advised them to apply for a passport and go abroad legally, the local added.

They were asked to sign an assurance not to go abroad illegally in the future.

Burmese police rounded up 70 persons from Chin state from the 'Five star' harbor in Taketa Township in Rangoon division while they were waiting for the ship sailing to Kawtawng town, in Tanintary division,  on the Thai-Burma border on July 17.

The arrested people were detained in a primary school No (1) in Natmauk Parayatih monastery, View Point Qrt., Taketa township, Rangoon division.

The authorities freed 40 of the 70 persons after interrogation. Among the 30 kept in the monastery, only 24 persons were left on the day they were sent back as some had managed to escape from the monastery.

The other 12 detainees were also sent back to Kalay town in Sagaing division, Burma.  

Burmese military authorities were stated to have said about the incident as saving the people from human trafficking. – Khonumthung.