Two young civilians from Aung Si Yone village were arbitrarily shot and killed by military council forces on the Myo Chaung Bridge in Pyay Township, Bago Region, according to friends of the deceased. The victims were identified as Maung Hein Wai Soe, age 17, and Maung Myo Zaw Aung, age 18. The incident occurred on the morning of September 1st, when the military forces opened fire on the youths as they were crossing the bridge. Sources close to the victims confirmed that the shooting was unprovoked and occurred without any justification. Local residents reported that the military council had designated Aung Si Yone village as a ‘black zone,’ which they used as a pretext for the shooting.
During the incident, Maung Myo Zaw Aung was shot in the chest but managed to run back to the village despite his injuries. However, he tragically passed away while his family was attempting to transport him to the hospital for medical treatment. Maung Hein Wai Soe died instantly on the bridge, and the military council forces refused to allow the retrieval of his body for an extended period. The military’s actions have caused significant distress among the local community, who view this as another example of the ongoing violence against civilians.
The military council has intensified its presence in Pyay Township by establishing additional checkpoints where they routinely extort money from civilians, threaten local residents, conduct arbitrary arrests, carry out beatings, and commit acts of violence. Young people in particular frequently face detention at township entry and exit checkpoints. Local residents report that these aggressive actions by the military council have severely disrupted daily life in the area and heightened security concerns among the civilian population. The increasing militarization of the region has created an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, with residents facing constant threats to their safety and well-being.
