ND Burma

Myanmar junta makes multiple arrests in Mandalay

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Among those detained are two teachers accused of taking part in an online education program run by the NUG

Sources in Mandalay say that a number of people, including two teachers accused of working with Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG), have been arrested in the city in recent weeks.

The teachers were both detained on July 27 during raids on their homes in in Mandalay’s Maha Aungmyay and Chanmyathazi townships, according to a person familiar with the situation.

“It’s true that they were arrested, but that’s all we know. We haven’t heard from them since they were taken into custody,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The source confirmed that the two teachers—one male and one female—were taking part in the Civil Disobedience Movement against military rule.

It’s believed that they were also suspected of teaching for an online education program under the NUG’s management, he added, noting that computers, mobile phones, and other items were confiscated during the raids.

Meanwhile, more arrests were made in Mandalay this week, including one on Tuesday involving a man who was picked up on 62nd Street and three more on Thursday at a teashop on 82nd Street.

According to sources, the military has been using the phone of the man arrested on Tuesday to try to contact others suspected of engaging in anti-regime activities.

Witnesses said that the arrests on Thursday were made by a group of police riding in civilian vehicles who used photographs to identify the suspects—two men and a woman, all in their 20s.

Residents of Mandalay say that arrests have been more frequent in the city since July 1, when a local urban guerrilla group called No More Dictatorship fired a handmade mortar at Mandalay Palace.

At least three arrests were made later the same day in connection with that incident, including one person who was just a bystander, sources told Myanmar Now.

There were also reports of arrests made at the Mya Bayet Monastery in Amarapura, just outside of Mandalay, on the same day. However, no further details were available.

The regime has not released any statement about recent arrests in Mandalay.

According to the latest data compiled by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, there are currently 19,687 political prisoners being held in Myanmar’s detention centres.

Earlier this week, the junta released around 7,000 prisoners as part of an amnesty to mark a Buddhist holiday. However, few of those released were serving sentences for political offences.

Myanmar Now News

ND Burma

Human Trafficking (Cartoon Animation)

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Human Trafficking

ND Burma

Thousands displaced by Myanmar junta raids on Chindwin River villages

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The latest attacks come amid reports that the military is using the river to transport supplies to northern Sagaing Region

At least 5,000 people have been displaced by recent military raids targeting villages along the Chindwin River in Sagaing Region, according to local relief workers.

The latest attacks come as seven cargo ships, accompanied by two gunboats, started making their way north from the Sit Pin Port in Monywa early Monday morning, locals reported.

“We assume they’re going to Homalin and Mawlaik townships with supplies, weapons and ammunition. Troops on the ground raided Say Thu, which is right on the river, this morning,” a resident of the area told Myanmar Now on Monday.

Many of the displaced civilians are from Sone Chaung, a large village located opposite Monywa on the western bank of the Chindwin. Most fled the village after junta troops massacred 14 residents on July 21.

Some who returned after that incident said they were forced to flee again after soldiers stationed nearby renewed their attacks.

“We went back, but we’re sure it’s not safe to stay overnight yet. Everyone’s been displaced since the military arrived,” said a Sone Chaung villager who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Other villages affected by the recent raids include Than Po, Sithu, Pan Tein Pyin, and Kyauk Hmaw, according to local relief workers.

Myanmar’s military often uses the Chindwin River to transport supplies to remote parts of northern Sagaing Region. The regime has faced fierce resistance to its rule throughout the region since it seized power in a coup in February 2021.

Military supply lines are a frequent target of anti-junta groups that have deployed guerrilla tactics as a means of weakening the junta’s ability to assert control over the country’s population.

According to the latest United Nations estimates, ongoing conflict in Myanmar has displaced at least 1.6 million civilians over the past two and a half years.

Myanmar Now News

ND Burma

Human Rights Situation weekly update (July 22 to 31, 2023)

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Human Rights Violations took place in States and Regions from July 22 to 31, 2023

Military Junta Troops launched airstrikes and dropped bombs in Sagaing Region and Shan State from July 22nd to 31st. A woman who died was hitted by a car and arrested by the Military junta in Shwepyitha Township, Yangon Region.Electricity was also cut off at the 31 villages in Kyaukdaga Township, Bago Region. Military Junta troops arrested over 100 civilians and used them as human shields in Sagaing Region and Tanintharyi Region. Also, about 9 civilians were arrested and killed by the Military’s junta in Magway Region and Sagaing Region.

Local administrative authorities under the Military Junta troops threatened local people to  attend the Pyusawhtee Military training in Kyunhla Township, Sagaing Region. Military Junta imposes Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code to impose curfews and restrict gatherings and freedom of movement in Muse TownshiShan State on July 29th. 11 civilians also died from the Military’s heavy and light artillery attacks within a week.

ND Burma

Human Rights Situation weekly update (July 15 to 21, 2023)

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Human Rights Violations took place in States and Regions from July 15 to 21, 2023

Military Junta troops launched airstrikes and dropped bombs including fire bombs in Sagaing Region, Chin State, and Kayin State from  15th to 21st July. 12 civilians including 2 children died by the Military’s arresting and killing. They also burnt and killed 3 civilians from Kyaukdaga Township in Bago Region. Military Junta troops killed at least 12 local civilians from Sonechaung Village, Yinmabin Township, Sagaing Region on  21st June.

The rumors came out that the Military Junta  will arrest the CDMs in Pyay Township, Bago Region and they searched the houses. 2 civilians died and 1 was injured by the Military’s land mines within a week.

ND Burma

Myanmar military dumps bodies of 4 civilians in river, lake

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Locals say the men were working as carpenters in a Mandalay region village.

Junta troops in Myanmar’s Mandalay region tortured and killed four carpenters before dumping their bodies in a river and a lake, residents told RFA Friday.

Locals found the remains of 28-year-old Ye Naung Soe and 46-year-old Kyaw Myo from Madaya township, and 30-year-old Aye Soe Kyi from Singu township in a tributary of the Ayeyarwady River on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, they found the body of the unknown man, believed to be in his thirties, in a lake near Madaya’s Sa Kyin village. 

The men had been arrested by a column of around 50 troops who raided Nyaung Oke village in Madaya township on July 14.

Ye Naung Soe was tortured by the troops in front of villagers, according to a resident who didn’t want to be named for security reasons.

“He was dragged along by a rope tied around his neck. He was also beaten with wooden sticks,” said the local. 

“Two of them were tortured to death on the day of their arrest. The other two were arrested and taken to the monastery in Nat Gyi Sin village, Madaya township, where the junta troops stopped. 

“On July 15, they were tortured to death and thrown into the river. When we found the bodies, there were many injuries.”

Another local said a fisherman who tried to retrieve the bodies was beaten by the troops. Villagers had to wait until the column had left before retrieving the badly decomposed bodies.

They were cremated on Wednesday.

RFA’s calls to the Mandalay region junta spokesperson, Thein Htay, went unanswered Friday.

Nyaung Oke village has more than 300 homes and more than 1,000 residents. Locals told RFA there has been no fighting recently and they didn’t know why the four men were arrested and killed.

More than 3,800 pro-democracy activists and civilians have been killed since the February 2021 coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

RFA News