The military council abducted over 100 locals from Range and Welyit villages in Thayetchaung Township of Tanintharyi Region for no apparent reason, locals told the Than Lwin Times.
On the morning of 23 April, a military column of over 100 soldiers entered Range village and arrested over 80 villagers. Then, the military council released over 30 locals in the evening.
On 24 April, the military council entered Welyit village and arrested over 30 locals. The villagers are being detained at Welyit village monastery.
The army is trying to arrest the villagers citing that the villagers are related to the PDFs following the deaths of members from the people’s militia force.
The military council said that locals will have to pay extortion money in return for the release of the detainees, a local from Thayetchaung Township said.
Most locals from Range and Welyit villages have fled to safer places as the military council is trying to arrest locals with the use of excessive force.
On 7 February, the military council abducted and killed two civilians from Range village, according to locals.
Sent by Than Lwin Times.