SHAN STATE (SOUTHERN) – According to the locals, the coup council contacted the family members of the civilians who were abducted by the junta council, to pay 2 million mmk in ransom, in Taunggyi town, the southern Shan state.
The junta council troops, police, Pa-O National Organization (PNO) troops used to patrol in the town and abduct the youths and middle aged men.
Among the abductees, unmarried men and the men who can’t afford to pay ransom, were sent to military training. The junta council contacted the family members of the abductees who could afford to pay ransom and married men, to pay ransom money through their informers and the ward administrative officers.
A close acquaintance to an abductee mentioned that “the husband of my acquaintance came back home from work at around 8 p.m. He was abducted by the junta council’s patrol. The junta council threatened the family members of the abductees saying that if they (the family members) don’t pay 2 million mmk as ransom money, the junta council will send the abductees to interrogation and send them (the abductees) to military training. Around four or five people said that they were also threatened to pay ransom money.”
In December, at least 80 civilians were abducted by the junta council troops during the night time, in Taunggyi township. The abductees were detained in the Myanmar Post and Telecommunication office (2222) and the junta council is preparing to send them to military training.
In November, the junta council abducted 8 youths in Taunggyi town and sent them to military training. As two out of eight youths escaped, the junta council troops and the police were searching the escapees.
