Local residents have reported that the military council forces in Minhla Township, Bago Region, have arrested two civilians on accusations of supporting the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and subsequently burned down their homes. On July 25th, around noon, military council troops arrested Ko Kyaw Mya Soe, who was running a shop beside the road in U Toke Nyan Pin village, Minhla Township, accusing him of providing support to the PDF. Following his arrest, the military council forces set fire to his house and shop, destroying all merchandise inside. Ko Kyaw Mya Soe remains in detention as of now.
Similarly, on July 10th, military council troops, along with Hlegyun group administrator Aung Htut, arrested Ma Phyu Phyu (also known as Ma Phyu Phyit Aung) in Ohnnet Chaung village, Minhla Township, accusing her of supporting the PDF. After her arrest, there was no contact with her family for five days. On July 15th, she was found to be detained at Minhla Township Police Station, charged under sections 50(c) and 52(a). Her family has been denied visitation rights to date.
According to a local resident, Ma Phyu Phyit Aung’s parents attempted to visit their daughter at the township police station but were denied access. The administrator Aung Htut has been arbitrarily arresting villagers, accusing them of PDF support, and calling in military forces to conduct arrests. He has threatened to continue arrests, claiming there are still PDF members in the Hlegyun village tract. As a result, young people in the village have been forced to flee, as it is no longer safe for them to remain. Local residents report that administrator Aung Htut has been subjecting civilians to various forms of oppression and harassment. The situation has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity in the area, with civilians facing constant threats of arbitrary arrest and property destruction under false accusations of PDF support.
