Khonumthung Media Group, his original organization, announced that Pu Tuidim, one of the founders of

Burma News International (BNI), was killed by forces of the military council on 8 January 2022.

Pu Tuidim was arrested, together with 10 other civilians, on the Matupi-Hakha Road between Kelong and

Lonelaw villages in Matupi Township, Chin State on the 6th of January. Security forces of the military council used the 11 travelers as human shields during their maneuvers, and then killed all of them.

As Pu Tuidim was a key contributor in the establishment of the BNI media alliance in 2003 as a

representative of Khonumthung Media Group, a Chin news agency, along with Narinjara News, Mizzima

News, and Kaladan Press Network, his death is a massive loss for the BNI.

He was not only one of the founders of Khonumthung Media Group and former Chief Editor who

performed his duties for many years but also an experienced ethnic media personnel who helped pave

the way for independent news media in Chin State.

BNI recognizes his death is an enormous loss not only for ethnic media but also for the whole media

community in Myanmar. We would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues.

Similarly, Ko Soe Naing, a freelance photojournalist, who covered the news of the silent strike on 10

December 2021, died at the interrogation center three days after the military council arrested him. Also, A Sai Kay (or) Sai Win Aung also died due to being shot by the military council on 25 December.

Therefore, BNI unequivocally denounces the military council’s violent attacks on civilians and calls the international community to take action, according to international human rights norms and standards, on the offenders who have committed these crimes and on those who violate the safety of media personnel and other civilians.