Yar Rujin, Nov 12, Hsipaw
The junta’s military arrested and taken away 35 local residents in Hsipaw—a township recently brought back under its control in northern Shan State—on suspicion of having ties to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), according to a source close to some detainees.
Junta troops reportedly detained and interrogated 35 residents—25 men and 10 women—from Ton Sint, San Phate Villages, and several urban wards in Hsipaw Township.
“Some have been released, but most of the younger ones are still being held. The junta’s military accuses them of having ties to the armed group, but it seems they’re arresting locals arbitrarily under that pretext,” said a source close to a detainee.
Another source told Shwe Phee Myay that most of the residents arrested and interrogated by the junta’s military are Ta’ang (Palaung) people.
“As far as I know, most of those arrested in Hsipaw are Palaung. I know more than five people personally,” the source said.
Another Hsipaw resident stated that the military has also sealed off over 90 homes and shops belonging to locals suspected of having ties to the TNLA, as well as the People’s Defense Force (PDF) under the National Unity Government (NUG).
“Even shops that TNLA members once visited during its control have been sealed off. Some of these businesses have no affiliation whatsoever with any armed groups,” a local source said.
An investigation by Shwe Phee Myay revealed that among the 10 women detained, seven are minors under the age of 18.
These actions of junta mirror similar operations in Kyaukme town, where the regime forces have also been sealing off homes since the last week of October, alleging links to the Ta’ang ethnic armed group.
Translated by #KLT
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