Burmese Army troops based in Southern Mon state released a village headman and five villagers after interrogating and torturing them on the accusation that they had been supporting Mon rebels active in the area.

Troops of the Infantry Battalion (IB) No.31 based in Khawza sub Township in southern Ye township, freed Yin-ye village headman Nai Maung Ba and other villagers after they provided guarantees.

"Three villagers who have farmlands and plantations provided the guarantee for each of them. If someone from Nai Maung Ba's group escapes, the farmlands and plantations would be seized by the army," a Nai Maung Ba family source told IMNA.

According to a source, Nai Maung Ba and his group have to sign documents every three days in IB No. 31 based at Khaw-za Sub Township to ensure that they do not flee. Nai Maung Ba and his Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) team have been dismissed from their positions.  The army is now appointing a new (VPDC) team.

The VPDC chairman in Yin-ye village, Nai Maung Ba (47), Secretary Nai Kyaw Hein (41) and member Nai Sein Maung (41) were arrested by Burmese soldiers of Infantry Battalion No.31 based in Khaw-za sub township on May 29 night. Nai Gare, Nai Kya Kaung and Nai San Yi were arrested on May 28 when they went to give money demanded by Mon rebels.

The soldiers beat the village headman's group the way someone would beat cattle and pigs to death in front of villagers.

The group was arrested for arranging to meet the Monland Restoration Party's demands for funds last month.