Threats from armed groups increase in Sagaing Division

This March, Sagaing Division; Family members told RFA that three people were killed in Depayin Township and four others were missing in Minkin Township.

Due to the emergence of a large number of armed groups in Sagaing Division, locals are afraid of the military as well as the armed groups and are facing various difficulties.

Sagaing Division Depayin Township Tanay village tract; The locals from Sin Yauk Kone village are Daw Than Hlaing, over 50 years old; Wai Zaw Hein and Thaung Win Swe, both in their 30s, were arrested and killed by a local armed group on March 21, family members told RFA.

"There is no need to complain about filing a case," he said. The rest of the families are afraid of them. I had to run because I was afraid of being killed. I have to avoid it elsewhere. ”

Ma Thidar Khaing, Wei Zaw Hein's wife, told RFA that she was arrested and killed on the way to Sinsat Kone village from Sin Yauk Kone village.

“We sent cows from Sin Yauk Kone village. The PDFs were hacked and all three siblings were killed. The body could not be carried. They killed him, claiming that he had misappropriated money. The money is over 400,000. What about the money from the village? What about the money paid to the PDF leaders above? When I asked him to clear the account, he did not. Because I was afraid I would find out. The whole village is afraid of them. Do not sleep during the day.

Depayin Township Family members of the victims told RFA that a group led by Aung Thaung Naing, the leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), was arrested and killed. RFA has not been able to confirm this separately and has not been in contact with the accused Aung Thaung Naing.

RFA correspondents in Depayin Township said they heard the news of the deaths of three locals.

According to initial reports from the Depayin Township Defense Force, the dead were spies. They said they were not Dalans. He said such incidents would undermine the revolution and would investigate the incident and help some of the victims' families be satisfied.

The People's Defense Forces (MPF) has been formed in Depayin Township from village to township level. The Local Defense Forces (PDF) live with the battalion, while the PKF lives in villages and townships.

Another family member told RFA that no deaths had been reported.

"There is no need to complain about filing a case," he said. The rest of the families are afraid of them. I had to run because I was afraid of being killed. I have to avoid it elsewhere. ”

In addition, on March 13, Sagaing Division; Minkin Township A family member told RFA that four locals from Thamaung village were apprehended by an armed group on their way from Minkin Township to Kanni Township on the Chindwin River while selling timber.

"Some acquaintances also said that the phone call was gone," he said. Some say they are still there. We could do nothing. On the 15th, I had to return the form from the left pipe maker. It includes clothes and accessories. And blankets. I never complained. Some say it is an armed group. Which group? I did not say why. It is known that the gunmen took them away. ”

RFA contacted the Minkin Township People's Defense Force and said it had not heard the news and that the disappearance of the four had nothing to do with their group.

The missing are in their 50s. U Tun Ngwe; Ko Nyunt Ngwe and Ko Thein Ngwe are over 30 years old. Locals say they are ordinary subsistence farmers. Families say the missing include nearly 15 million kyat in timber sales.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Defense and Home Affairs Dr Sasa, the Union Minister for International Cooperation, suggested that military commissions of inquiry be notified.

“Keep the evidence of what happened. Be sure to write down the process and help. If there is strong evidence, there is no reason for NUG not to follow suit. I have to go. This is our job. PDF was created to protect the lives of the people. "Therefore, all of this needs to be documented and the survivors need to be kept in touch with the relevant authorities when the time comes."

The National Unity Government (NUG) announced on March 14 that it would set up a Central Commission of Inquiry into Military Crimes to investigate military crimes.

The commission announced on March 26 that it would take action against the perpetrators, but did not say what action would be taken.

"If the people are not happy, he is not loyal to the people," he said. "If the people do not trust me, any revolution will fail."

An anonymous member of a PDF group in Sagaing Division said that any revolution could fail if the people do not trust it, so the armed forces need to gain the trust of the people.

"If you do not know politics after the revolution, you could be a rebel or a terrorist organization," he said. It could be a sword. It can become a dictator. All revolutionaries must know politics. If the people are not happy, he is not loyal to the people. "If the people do not trust me, any revolution will fail."

A local resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told RFA that the National Unity Government needs to crack down on armed violence in Sagaing Division.

“The number of killings is increasing in Sagaing Division. Local PDFs have taken up arms and formed stupid groups. If you are not allergic to it, you will be killed. These should not happen. NUG should control these. ”

The military code of conduct issued by the National Unity Government stipulates that civilians should be held hostage and held hostage. Not to use it as a human shield; It stipulates that no killing is allowed.

He said insurgents must pay the current price, even if they use civilian property as a matter of urgency, to protect civilians from harassment and to protect civilians.

These provisions need to be strictly adhered to by the armed groups and effective action should be taken against those who do not comply.