August 3rd, 2022
The Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) / the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) beat and abducted 20 villagers including a female teacher from the Ta’ aung National Education Committee (TNEC) in Ohn Ngan village in Pan San village-tract in Kyaukme Township in northern Shan State at night on July 31st, according to locals.
The villagers ran away as the PSLF/TNLA carried out the recruitment of new members in the village.
“Around 30 members of the TNLA entered the village at around 11 pm on that day while the people were sleeping. The TNLA abducted some women and the elderly. The children cried as the TNLA abducted the mothers. Yesterday, women and some people were released,” a local says.
“On that day, they arrived at the house of the teacher from the TNEC and awoke her. They entered the house by kicking the door. Her husband told them why they do such terror act in the house. The teacher took photos. The soldiers beat her hand and kicked her citing she took photos. Then, three soldiers abducted her husband. They beat her husband along the road. In fact, the teacher’s house is not included in the list of recruitment. They abducted those who are included in the list or and those who are not included in the list,” the local continues.
The family members of the detainees are worried about the detainees being abducted by the PSLF/TNLA.
Among the 20 detainees are two members of the TNLA.
In recent days, seven detainees were released. The remaining people are being detained in Kwansalan village, a local woman said.
“Teacher who is working at the school run by the TNEC is from the village. The schools are closed after the incident. Among the detainees are the parents of students. The children will drop out of the school if their parents are not released,” a local woman said.
Lt-Col Mai Aik Kyaw, information officer of the PSLF/TNLA is unavailable for comment.
About the recruitment of new members in Kyaukme, Lt-Col Mai Aik Kyaw told the Network Media Group on July 28th that if a family has two men aged between 18 and 35, one man shall perform the military duty. Both shall get exemption if they are pursuing their education and disabled. In addition to the recruitment of new members, we recall the members who do not return to the unit. It happens not only in Kyaukme but also in other townships.”
Locals have fled to Thailand as the TNLA has been carrying out the recruitment of new members in Lwalkone village in Kyaukme Township from February till July, the villagers said.
Sent by the NMG