Lway Lao Jar, Aug 28, Kutkai
A man arrested by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) for alleged drug use died five days after being detained in Ward 2, Kutkai, a township controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in northern Shan State, according to a source close to his family.
On the evening of August 19, Kachin Independence Army (KIA) soldiers arrested U Maung Maung, a 35-year-old resident of Kutkai. He was taken into custody at the headquarters of KIA Battalion 9.
According to a family source, the KIA informed his family on the evening of August 23 that U Maung Maung had died while in detention.
“On the evening of August 19, the Kachin Independence Army’s (KIA) anti-narcotics team raided the ward and arrested him without informing the administrators,” a source told Shwe Phee Myay.
“Although they informed Maung Maung’s nephew about the arrest and took his family’s phone number, the KIA soldiers never contacted his family until his death.”
U Maung Maung’s body was taken to the mortuary by his family and community elders. A delegation of officials—including the head of the township’s Ta’ang Literature and Cultural Association and the Ta’ang Police—also accompanied them.
“According to the doctor’s examination yesterday morning, the man had bruised and swollen injuries on his back and both arms. Internal bleeding was also found in his abdomen, along with abrasions on his body. The examination suggests the cause of death may have been a hematoma on the scalp or temple,” the source explained.
According to a KIA deputy district commander, another source told Shwe Phee Myay that U Maung Maung tried to escape on August 23 while prisoners were unchained for a bath. After being recaptured, he was punished by being forced to stand for two hours. The source believes this punishment may have caused him to become exhausted and die.
The KIA deputy district commander has apologized to his family for the unintentional death of U Maung Maung.
Another source close to his family, remarked that the statements from the officials are inconsistent.
The deputy district commander admitted to beating the man “so that others would not do the same,” but claimed he did not beat him to death.
He said the man had not eaten for four days, and that his death was likely caused by malnutrition.
In contrast, the district commander said that when the man was recaptured, he was handcuffed and tied to a pole for a full day. The source stated that these conflicting accounts are a point of concern.
It is understood that the KIA and U Maung Maung’s family are still in discussions and negotiations regarding his death.
Translated by #KLT
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