Following the shooting at a Military Council vehicle that was transporting students from school, 8 local youths were arrested in Mogaung Township, Kachin State.
On August 19, approximately at 3:00 p.m., following a shooting incident targeting a Military Council vehicle transporting students from Mogaung BEHS-1 school, the Military Council troops chased a group of youths to their homes and arrested them. This was carried out under the allegation that these youths might have connections to the defense forces.
As a result, a resident informed Kachin News Group (KNG) that a series of 8 young men were arrested from Mogaung Township.
"At approximately 2 a.m. on the night of the shooting, a young man engaged in selling sports equipment and his friend were apprehended while at their residence. Subsequently, at dawn on that same morning, two siblings from Oh Tan Ward were taken, followed by two siblings from a barbershop situated in front of Than Lwin guesthouse, and then another pair of siblings from Naung Kai Taw Ward were also arrested," recounted a local resident.
The youths who were arrested consist of a young man and his friend from a sporting goods shop within the Shwe Thar Lyaung pagoda compound, two sons of NLD party member Daw Mar Kyu from Oh Tan Ward, two twin brothers from a barber shop located in front of Than Lwin Guest House where the shooting incident occurred, and two brothers from Naung Kai Taw Ward.
According to locals, the arrested youths were reportedly held at a location commonly used by Military Council troops for breaks in Mogaung Township.
Furthermore, local residents have reported that the Military Council troops are imposing rigorous checks on young individuals within Mogaung Township.
"I believe they are seeking information about the individuals involved in the shooting that occurred that day. They are also inspecting the Kyun Taw Bridge, which links Kyun Taw Ward to the downtown area. Their focus seems to be primarily on assessing young individuals," he explained.
Residents have noted that Military Council troops are conducting nighttime patrols in the wards of Mogaung downtown, along with deploying ambush patrols in these areas.
On August 19, a Military Council vehicle that was transporting students from Mogaung BEHS-1 school was targeted in an attack by defense forces. As a result of this incident, two soldiers from the Military Council were killed, and a firearm was also lost.
Following the shooting incident involving the Military Council vehicle, the Mogaung People's Defense Force issued a statement in the evening. The statement conveyed that if the military persists in instilling fear among the populace and maintains its presence in BEHS schools, the People's Defense Force will carry out further operations.
