The residents reported that the military has not released over 20 employees who were detained from two Zin Yaw petrol stations in Phoe Chit Kone ward, Mogaung Township, Kachin State. Additionally, one of the petrol stations was demolished using a backhoe.
The Military Council troops have alleged that U Moe Kyaw and Daw Khin Mar Shwe, the proprietors of Zin Yaw petrol stations, have connections with the defense forces. On the night of September 2, they conducted raids on two Zin Yaw petrol stations located along the Myitkyina-Mogaung-Hpakant road and their residence, resulting in the arrest of more than 20 employees.
Then, on September 3, a local source informed KNG that the military used a backhoe to dismantle one of the two petrol stations situated along the Mogaung-Hpakant road.
"They have two petrol stations – one along the road from Mogaung to Myitkyina and another along the road from Mogaung to Hpakant. The one that has been completely destroyed is the one on the road to Hpakant; nothing remains," reported a resident of Mogaung.
U Moe Kyaw's family managed to escape when the military arrived to apprehend them. However, an elderly woman guest who was present at the residence was also arrested, he added.
"The hosts fled in advance upon receiving news of the situation. Among those present, there was an elderly lady who remained. The soldiers interrogated her at gunpoint, causing her to lose consciousness. They detained the elderly woman as well. Furthermore, they apprehended over 20 employees, among them an underage girl," added a local resident of Mogaung.
Among the individuals who were arrested, the underage female employee was released on the evening of September 2. However, the rest of the employees, including the elderly woman guest, have not been released as of now.
The individuals who were arrested, as reported, have not been released, and the petrol station was demolished on September 3.
After the shooting incident involving a military vehicle transporting students from school in Mogaung Township on August 19, the Military Council troops have intensified security measures both within and outside the town. Additionally, they have been making ongoing arrests of civilians.
"The number of people being arrested is steadily rising, and some families are also fleeing from Mogaung. The situation in Mogaung is dire as even pedestrians are at risk of being apprehended," expressed a woman from Mogaung.
Local residents have reported that there could be a minimum of 100 civilians who were arrested between August 19 and September 2. However, obtaining an exact list of those arrested remains challenging.
According to residents, the increased security measures implemented by Military Council troops both within and outside the town, along with rigorous inspections, have led to a reduction in the number of people venturing out at night in Mogaung Township.
