The Military Council troops arrested at least 15 civilians in Neikban sub-township of Hinthada Township in the Ayeyarwady Region after a police patrol unit under their command was attacked by an improvised explosive device (IED), locals said.
More than 30 locals were arrested by the Military Council after 3 consecutive days of investigation in Hinthada, Neikban, Nat Maw, Kyar Inn and Ta Loke Htaw. Some were released after being interrogated, but no fewer than 15 are still in detention.
“The soldiers have begun randomly arresting individuals based on mere suspicion.The clampdown began with a raid on Kyar Inn, where weapons were seized last month, resulting in the arrest of six villagers who remain detained. Similarly, those arrested on the Nat Maw and Neikban sides have yet to be released”, a local said.
The majority of those who are still being detained are Kyar Inn villagers, and their family members are understandably concerned by reports of alleged torture being inflicted upon them.
On the evening of February 22nd, at approximately 9:00 pm, a group of five policemen on patrol, riding on three motorcycles, were targeted in an attack by an improvised explosive device (IED) near the A Lal Su ward, in the vicinity of the Neikban area police station. Two of them were injured as a result of this incident, which is said to be the main reason behind the recent spate of arrests.
In a previous incident sources close to local police reported that during a raid on Kyar Inn village in the western part of Neikban sub-township in the second week of January, Military Council troops apprehended 13 individuals, including Ko Maung Myint, who was a trainee of the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), and seized 13 assault rifles and 80 grenades.
The People’s Defense Force of Hinthada (PDF-Hinthada) has issued a statement claiming
responsibility for the detonation of a police patrol on motorcycles. According to the statement, the attack was carried out using a remote-control system as part of their Operation Nan Htike Aung.
Similarly as part of Operation Nan Htike Aung, on the night of February 19th, the Aung San Battalion of the Red Falcon Spring Revolution Force bombed the waterfront administration office located in the south of Kwin Kauk in Hinthada.
