Local sources reported that Burmese government soldiers continue to carry out serious rights violations in conflict areas in Kachin and Northern Shan State.
On July 24, a Burmese army column interrogated and tortured Man Jak villagers in Munggu area in Northern Shan State. The soldiers razed a house belonged to Man Jak village elder and a community barn which stored villagers’ crops.
Man mau villager Yawhan and another ethnic Chinese man were arrested and interrogated by Burmese army column at Man mau village in Munggu area. The Chinese man was reportedly beaten severely and forced to reveal the names of villagers who joined KIA’s people army. About 30 names were given to Burmese soldiers by the Chinese man, said a local villager. He said, “Burmese soldiers are now looking for those family members who have their relatives served in KIA, they all are afraid and they are in hiding and running”.
The wife and son of local minister Maran Naw Hkam were arrested and interrogated by Burmese soldiers. A villager said, “Burmese soldiers asked them to tell all related KIA personnel to return to village. The soldiers made minister’s wife and son walk around the village with them in search for KIA personnel.”
Kachin internally displaced persons taking refuge in government controlled areas are increasingly targeted by authorities for arrest and arbitrary detention. On June 17, Lahtaw Brang Shawng, an IDP, was taken from Janmai Kawng IDP camp by police and military intelligent officers accusing him to be a KIA sergeant. Burmese authorities brought Brang Shawng back to Janmai Kawng IDP camp to search for evidences on June 20 with both of his hands tied and pulled him with a string . Brang Shawng was scheduled to appear in court again on July 26.
Leaders of IDP camps in Burmese government controlled areas are increasingly concerned as there is no security guaranteed for IDPs fleeing from their homes in conflict zones to cities as they are being detained arbitrarily and tortured without proper due process of law. An aid worker said, “IDP families have to live under fear of being arrested and interrogated. Some families even travelled back to KIO controlled areas from IDP camps in Myitkyina. There is no security guaranteed for them in government controlled area.”
