A tragic incident occurred in Meiktila Township, Mandalay Region, where a 23-year-old motorcycle taxi driver, Maung Chit Win, died after being detained by military forces. On May 11, during the full moon day of Kason, Maung Chit Win from Ahtoo village was arrested by the military in front of Shwe Myint Tin Pagoda. Later that night, the military contacted his parents, demanding a ransom of 50 million kyats (approximately 50 lakhs) for his release.
His parents attempted to secure his release and sought assistance from village administrator Win Myint Kyaw. However, at 1 AM on May 12, the military contacted the parents to inform them that Maung Chit Win had died and instructed them to collect his body. His remains were cremated on May 14. Friends of the deceased confirmed that he had been tortured during his detention before his death. The military’s phone call recording regarding the body collection was reportedly taken as evidence by Police Station No. 1.
While the exact reason for Maung Chit Win’s arrest remains unclear, sources close to the victim suggest that the primary motive appears to have been extortion. In Meiktila Township, military forces, People’s Militia, and Pyu Saw Htee groups regularly engage in extorting money from civilians at checkpoints, subjecting them to abuse, and arbitrarily detaining people for ransom. These actions have created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among local residents, who face constant threats to their safety and property. The incident highlights the ongoing pattern of violence and exploitation faced by civilians in the region under military control.
