U Hpauyam La Sam from Ward 2 in Kahtan Yang Village and U Lapyaw Hkawng Dau from Ward 2 in Loi Seng Village were detained at around 3:30 am on September 5.

“The dogs were barking very loudly at around 3 am so I got up to see what’s going on and they had already reached near my house. Then, they came inside the house and inspected the household list and national registration cards. Then, they took photos. Afterwards, they asked my husband to go with them for a while. They arrested him by tying one of his hands when he reached the top of the stairs,” said Daw Lum Tsai, wife of U Lapyaw Hkawng Dau, who has been arrested.

According to local residents, the military column had over 100 troops and it inspected suspicious homes in Loi Seng and Kahtan Yang villages. 

U Hpauyam La Sam’s wife said her husband has also been taken as a guide.

“Three soldiers were at the end of the stairs when I came outside. I saw four [soldiers] standing outside the fence. They asked me whether I know the home of U Brang Awng. I said I didn’t know so I called my husband. When he came out, they asked him. When he said he didn’t know, they asked him to come with us as a guide. They took him after saying that there’s nothing to worry about it and they won’t do anything [to him],” she said.

Local village administration group and religious organization have informed Kamaing General Administrative Office since they still have not heard from the two detained men. The General Administrative Office responded that they will arrange a meeting with the Strategic Commander, according to the village administrator.

“In my opinion, they shouldn’t hold arms and lawlessly detain the villagers,” Kahtan Yang Village Administrator said.