A man selling ice cream lollipops was found dead with gunshot wounds near Mawhun village in Kutkai Township, northern Shan State, according to local residents.
The body of the street vendor who sold “Wah Ha Ha” ice lollipops was found near Mawhun on Kutkai-Tamoenye Road around noon on 10 August, said a member of the Byanmaso Heart social welfare association who went to collect the body.
“As far as we could see, he died from the gunshot wounds. He was selling ice lollies there for a few months. I don’t know why he was killed,” he said.
The victim was over 40 years old and had injuries to his chest, neck and eyes, those who came to collect the body said.
He was a resident of Ward 8 in Kutkai. His body was taken to the morgue of Kutkai General Hospital by members of the social welfare group.
Residents of Kutkai said the town has often seen killings of similar nature and that there is no security for the local population due to the presence of too many armed groups.
A woman from Kutkai said, “Because there are too many armed groups, we can’t know who is responsible for the killings. Even on the street where I walk regularly, I don’t know what will happen to me. So I don’t even feel safe for myself.”
After the military coup, the number of robberies by alleged drug users and gamblers has increased in Kutkai. Since the authorities have failed to take action, residents feel completely unsafe, according to some Kutkai residents.
After the coup, drug users have become more visible in Kutkai, openly consuming and selling drugs, while gambling dens have been opened and adults, youths and women are seen in these gambling dens, residents said.
Some Kutkai residents said unidentified murders and robberies are believed to be committed by drug users, gamblers, and armed groups.
Also on 3 August, an unidentified body with stab wounds was found on 2nd Manwein road in Muse Township in northern Shan State, residents said.
Sent by NMG.
