The civilians who were abducted by the Military Council from Ywangan Township, Taunggyi District Shan State, have not been heard again.
A local man told the Shan Herald that nine civilians from Kyaukkupyin village in Ywangan township were detained by the Military Council on March 30. Four days later their family members are extremely worried as they have had no contact all.
Around 20 soldiers of the Military Council arrived at the location on motorbikes and cars and detained several civilians who were engaged in an illegal gambling activity called Thone Kaung Jin.
During the arrest, witnesses claim that the soldiers used physical violence such as beatings and kicks. One man was severely injured and is currently hospitalized, but the Military Council has not taken responsibility for the incident and failed to visit the hospital.
“They were playing Thone Kaung Jin. An informer tipped off security forces and the Military Council troops came to detain them. Some of them were beaten. One is now hospitalized. They didn’t arrest him,” a local man, who asked not to be named, told the Shan Herald.
He mentioned that the family members were worried as they were unable to get in touch with the individuals who were detained.
The same local resident said, “I was told that they will be transferred from Ywangan prison cell to Kalaw prison. Family members are very worried about those who have been detained. They don’t know who to contact.”
According to reports, the Military Council troops are also involved in the operation of illegal gambling establishments in several villages within Ywangan township. Recently, in Kyaukkupyin village, they conducted a raid on a gambling ring where civilians were playing, confiscated the money, and arrested those involved.
On March 25, a group of approximately 100 military council troops conducted raids on homes in Ahlelchaung Village and Hngetthauk Village located in Ywangan Township. As a result of the raids, some houses were set on fire and destroyed.
On March 20, the Data for Myanmar organization released information stating that from the beginning of the military coup until February 28, 2023, the Military Council and its affiliated organizations burned down a total of 135 houses belonging to civilians in Shan State, along with 18 houses in Ywangan.
