The Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) reports that the lives of over 20 women and youths detained by the military council in Palaw Township, Tanintharyi Region, are in danger.
Nai Aue Mon, a spokesperson for HURFOM, expressed concern about the civilians, especially young people and women, who were arrested after the fighting in Pala town, Palaw Township and have not yet been released.
“We’re generally concerned. Because, God forbid, there have been cases where bodies were dumped or they disappeared altogether without any news. Some have been missing for three, four or five months. We can no longer trace them. What often happens is that after erasing all traces, they might be sent to the frontlines as human shields, which is very worrying,” said Nai Aue Mon.
On 4 September, there was a battle between the military junta troops and the resistance forces in Pala Town, Palaw Township.
After the battle, the junta arrested over 60 residents, including women and elderly people, found on the streets of Pala Town, according to HURFOM.
Although more than 40 of them were released on September 5, the junta continues to detain over 20 young people and women who are eligible for military service, as Nai Aue Mon further explained:
“They arrested more than 20 people. And they haven’t yet released about 20 of them. Some say they’re being used as human shields others say they’re being held in military detention. Some are worried because there’s no news about their whereabouts,” he said.
In a similar case, on 30 August, the junta arrested four villagers near Bu Thi village in Launglon Township, Dawei District, Tanintharyi Region.
Among those arrested, U Kyaw Than, 52, was shot dead on 31 August, U Phoe Aye, 53, on 1 September, and U Ba Shwe, 50, on 2 September, HURFOM reported.
Sent by NMG.