Residents of Pang Hseng (Kyu Koke) Town in northern Shan State are demanding the death penalty for a soldier from the the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA),who is accused of raping a girl aged two years and five months.

At around 1:00 pm on 1 December 2024, U Shao Chi, a 55-year-old driver for the MNDAA lured the child away from her home and took her to a stream near the Chinese border where it is alleged he raped her.

U Shao Chi was a friend and neighbour of the victim’s family and frequently visited their house. He is married with children and grandchildren.

The injured girl was unconscious when she was first taken to Pang Hseng Hospital, but they refused to admit or treat her because it was a case of rape so the girl was taken to Lashio Hospital. After being treated there for three days she was transferred to Pang Hseng Hospital where she is currently receiving treatment.

A woman from Pang Hseng Town said: "The perpetrator took the girl in his car at 1:00 pm, buying her snacks and juice along the way. Later, he brought her to the bank of a stream near the border and raped her before taking her to his house. When the girl's mother went to pick her up around 6:00 pm, the child was already very exhausted. Blood was oozing from the girl's genital area, and her vomit was mixed with male semen.

“After the girl's mother reported the incident to the MNDAA, they took her to the hospital. However, as it was a rape case, Pang Hseng Hospital refused to admit her, so she was sent to Lashio Hospital. We heard that the girl's genital area was in very bad condition and required stitching three times.”

She also explained what happened when the mother reported the incident to the MNDAA, saying: “When she picked up her daughter, the mother noticed her daughter's abnormal condition and went to the Kokang [MNDAA] soldier, who was the perpetrator, to inquire about it. He claimed he would take responsibility for the incident, but in reality, he did not. Then, the girl's mother reported the incident to the MNDAA. The MNDAA instructed her to stay at home and did not permit her to go to the hospital. The MNDAA only allowed the father to accompany the girl when she was taken to the hospital, while the mother cried heavily throughout the entire ordeal.”

Though the MNDAA took complete responsibility for the child's medical treatment, there were indications that it was attempting to cover up the case. This led to a protest in Pang Hseng organised by local women’s associations that was attended by about 200 people on 5 December.

The aforementioned woman from Pang Hseng Town said: “Initially, the MNDAA did not arrest the perpetrator. When rumours circulated that the MNDAA may have assisted the perpetrator in escaping, locals and women's organisations gathered to protest against the MNDAA. In response, the MNDAA detained him [the accused soldier] and began interrogating him. Previously, the Kokang group [MNDAA] had attempted to cover up the case.”

The accused has denied raping the girl, saying that he only accidentally touched her genital area with his hand. The case is still under investigation. Evidence is being gathered and questioning is ongoing, but there has not yet been any announcement of a verdict or trial date.

In November, Pang Hseng residents and women's organisations filed a complaint with the MNDAA regarding allegations that a Chin man from Tamu Town (in Sagaing Region), who ran an orphanage in Pang Hseng Town, had abused and raped children.

He was executed by the MNDAA, along with five other people, on 5 December 2024, in the MNDAA’s northern Shan State administrative centre of Laukkai Town. According to a source close to the group, the executed individuals were part of a group of 21 people tried for serious offences.

Residents of Pang Hseng Town, including the victim’s family are calling for the accused in this case to also face the death penalty, if found guilty.

The aforementioned woman said: “Only after the perpetrator is executed will the mothers in Pang Hseng feel a sense of relief and security. While he remains alive, they cannot be assured of their children's safety.

According to the Women’s League of Burma (WLB), since the February 2021 coup until July 2023, the areas where there have been the most reports of sexual violence against women were in townships in Sagaing Region and Chin, Shan and Karen states.