A combined force of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) killed nine civilians accusing them of being informants in Lawar village in Hpakant Township of Kachin State, according to officials of the committee formed to uncover the truth and seek justice.
The committee has launched an investigation into the killings of nine civilians—two women and seven men, officials said.
An official of the committee said: “At the request of the victim families, we formed the committee with town-elders to uncover the truth. We have called on them to uncover the truth through a plenary meeting between the commission and our committee. However, the other side has not implemented it till date.”
The committee was formed with officials from the Christian associations, anti-narcotic drug teams and the family members of victims, the official said.
The Christian association from Bhamo issued a letter calling on the KIA to search for the missing people from Bhamo.
The KIA/Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) arrests and investigates those involved in the killings of civilians.
Although the NMG phoned the information officer of the KIO to ask the latest situation on the investigation, the NMG was unable to contact him.
All the victims are friends from Sarhmaw, Nanmati and Bhamo Townships. On 24 January, a combined force of the KIA and the PDF arrested them when they visited their friend U Kyaw Soe from Moegaung.
An official of the committee said: “Kaw Soe is doing cattle trading. He is earnestly involved in social affairs. They are from Lawar village. Kyaw Soe usually recruits plantation workers for his female friends. Five victims are the family members of U La Zwan Tu Lwan. They are working for the Christian association.”
The victims are: Ma Indaung Nan Lwan, Daw Phaung Ma Khan Bu, U Phoe Toke, U Tun Yone, U Lazwanhtwalshaung (aka) Tun Aye, U La Zwan Tu Lwan, U Kyay and U Yaw Han.
The victims are ordinary persons. U Yaw Han from Nanmati is a member of the anti-narcotic association.
At around 8 pm on 24 January, more than ten persons who are assumed to be the members of the KIA and the PDF abducted seven people in the compound of U Kyaw Soe from Lawar. On 25 January, the combined force arrested the remaining two, an eye witness told the committee.
According to the committee’s investigation, those involved in the killings of nine civilians are the comrades from Battalion-20 under Brigade-2 of a combined force of the KIA and the PDF.
A person who is helping uncover the truth said: “The KIO should make an investigation into the case to swiftly bring justice to the victims. It has nothing to do with the organization’s policy. This is a careless mistake made by subordinates. First the KIO should apologize to the families of victims as it believes fake news.”
The committee formed with the family members of victims found bodies of seven victims buried in a pit located about two miles from the village when they visited Lawar village. However, the bodies of the rest were buried in another pit.
On 25 February, the bodies of those killed were exhumed, and then the funeral services for the victims were held
Sent by the NMG