The military forces have violently arrested 40 men, including both young and elderly residents, from Puteinyo village in Thaton Township, Mon State. The arrests took place during the evening of July 30, when military forces entered the village and conducted violent arrests, beating and detaining villagers of various age groups. Among those arrested were 10 young men aged 18-19 years, 20 men between 30-40 years of age, and 10 elderly individuals. The military’s actions have caused significant distress within the community.
The arrests are reportedly connected to an incident that occurred on July 26 at 5 PM in Puteinyo village, where two members of the pro-military militia, Than Zaw Oo and Aung Ko Win, were killed. Following this incident, the military forces entered the village and conducted mass arrests. The military is now demanding 30 million kyats (approximately USD 15,000) per person for their release. They have also threatened to burn down the village and conduct airstrikes. The whereabouts of those detained remain unknown, though there are reports of torture and mistreatment of the detainees.
Local residents report that the military forces, who maintain their main base in Thaton town, frequently conduct raids and arbitrary arrests in surrounding villages. These violent actions against innocent civilians have severely disrupted daily life in the area and created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Family members of those detained are deeply concerned for their relatives’ safety and well-being, while also facing financial hardship due to the military’s monetary demands. The situation highlights the ongoing pattern of military violence and oppression against civilians in the region, with local communities bearing the brunt of these aggressive tactics.
