June 9th, 2022
The military arrested and killed two distance education university students for allegedly providing logistics support for Company-1, Battalion-1 of Kyaukpadaung People’s Defense Force (PDF), according to their relatives.
The two victims are Hein Zeyar Phyo, 21 and Hein Zeyar Oo, 20 from Botae village in Kyaukpadaung Township.
“They are not PDF members. The military arrested them for providing logistics support. All the men have to flee to safer places when the military carries out military operations in the village. They encountered the military when they returned to their village. The military arrested them. The evidence about logistics support were found in their mobile phones, at the interrogation center. The military arrested additional five youths in connection with the case. I have heard the news that five detainees were also shot dead. But I can’t confirm that news,” a relative of the victims who declined to be named, says.
The military arrested the duo during the military operation in the villages on June 1st. They were detained at Letpanpyar police station for two days and then handed over to the interrogation center of the Division-99.
At around 4.30 am on June 4th, the military tortured them at the interrogation center. The soldiers shot Hein Zeyar Oo in the head. Hein Zeyar Phyo died of severe bleeding.
“It is certain that they have been killed. Their cousins managed to escape. Now they are at a safe place. The 70-year-old grandmother is stranded. She is very scared. We don’t get phone contact. My grandmother lived in Loikaw before. She was sent to the relative’s house when we fled the fighting. Now the situation has worsened. I don’t know how to recuse my grandmother,” a family member of the victims said.
The military cremated the bodies of two victims without informing their parents and relatives, according to the statement by Kyaukpadaung- PDF.
All the men have to flee to safer places whenever the military enters the villages in Kyaukpadung Township. The military usually arrests the men to be used as porters, according to locals.
In its statement, the PDF-Kyaukpadung said we recognize both Hein Zeyar Phyo and Hein Zeyar Oo as the martyrs for their bravery. We will continue to fight till the establishment of a federal democratic union.
Sent by the NMG.