IMNA has learned that two of the six inhabitants in southern Mon State’s Khau-zar municipality in Yay Township were released after being kidnapped, and the four other inhabitants have been in the hand of an unidentified armed group since September 19th.
According to a local resident, 4 men and 2 women elders from the town were kidnapped while they were preparing alms for a Mahadoke (Buddhist merit making) offering ceremony at Khau-zar’s lower-monastery.
“All six inhabitants were abducted together while preparing for the Mhahdoke donation ceremony. The kidnappers dared to do this even though army and police posts were nearby,” he said.
Among the victims, a 60 year-old man and a mother of an infant were released after one day near Kyauk-ka-din Village in Yay-phyu Township.
At present, relatives of the victims haven’t disclosed the amount of cash asked by the kidnappers. But last May, an unidentified armed group sent letters asking township residences to provide 40-million kyat, according to a local resident who spoke to IMNA on condition of anonymity.
“We have learned about the kidnapping news was informed and are still investigating the group responsible and the whereabouts of the victims. It is not possible to disclose all the information in detail yet because the victims are still in their hands,” said an official from the New Mon State party (NMSP) in Yay Township.
Armed groups led by Nai Saung, Nai Chan Dane, and Nai Lon are active in the area adjacent to southern and northern Yay-phyu Township. Previously, they have detained residents and extorted money from them.
