Military council soldiers reportedly shot dead a 17-year-old girl for no apparent reason in the southern town of Mindat, Chin State, on 9 January.
Regime troops from Infantry Battalion 274, returning from a patrol, entered Li Lawng village in No.3 cottage area of Mindat Township on the night of 9 January and opened fire. The 17-year-old girl was killed on the spot, while her elder sister was wounded in the forehead.
“They first went past the village, but then turned around and fired at the victims’ house located near the road. The sisters were shot when the older one held the hand of her younger sister and tried to hide behind the house. The girl’s face was completely destroyed. Her whole face, nose and mouth were shredded by the bullet. The bullet went through her chest. The older sister was slightly hit in the forehead,” said a close relative of the victims.
The girl who died from the unprovoked shooting by the military council soldiers was identified as Mahathi. She was shot on the same night that her father managed to escape after being kidnapped by the regime’s army to be used as a porter.
Since Li Lawan village has been frequently raided by the military council’s forces, most residents no longer dare to enter the village and often flee to safer places.
According to reports, Mahathi’s body was buried in the presence of few people.
“I am very sorry. I feel very sad. We can call it an accident if she was stuck in a clash between junta troops and PDF. But she was deliberately shot dead. Why did they do that to those girls? They are not like men either. Do these soldiers have kids? That’s why these people are compared to dogs. Not even dogs would do such terrible things to people. Are they inferior to dogs?” complained the victim’s close relative.
Li Lawng village is about 10 miles from Mindat and consists of about 50 houses.
The regime’s troops have often entered the ethnic village, shooting at the houses, looting them and stealing belongings such as blankets, cupboards, plates and food.
Currently, villagers have to spend the night in the woods while telephone lines in the community are cut.
Sent by KMG