Maj-Gen Tun Tun Naung, commander of Burma army Northern Regional Military Command, conceded yesterday that government soldiers interrogated Rev. Ram Mai in early September, said Rev. Ram Mai, from the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC). The reverend from the Putao District was detained along with several other villagers. All were allegedly tortured while being questioned.
Ram Mai is free now, Tun Tun Naung told the KBC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samsun and Rev. Kum Awng, secretary of the Myitkyina Kachin Baptist Association during a recent conference call.
The reverend is suffering from severe internal injuries and can't leave his bed, according to the KBA. Ram Mai and six other men from his village were tied up inside the church and tortured by Burma soldiers. Among the other detainees were Salang Hkaw Dut, assistant pastor, Yung Hka Khin and Dingra Min Seng.
Salang Hkaw Dut, who is a father of three, and the twenty-year old Yung Hka Khin were allegedly killed, their bodies were buried next to a roadway. Dingra Min Seng is still missing.
The men were arrested after pro-government militia attacked a Kachin Independence Army (KIA) battalion 7 post on Aug. 28 in Nhka Ga village, Machyangbaw Township. Localized fighting has been ongoing since late last month. Local sources have reported an increase of Burma army activity in the area.
