L Naw Awng, June 1, Muse
The recent, notorious kidnapping case in junta-controlled Muse Township, northern Shan State, is linked to the Manping militia group because those who kidnapped the woman from Ho Nar Ward in town were later identified as members of that militia, according to sources close to the victim’s family.
The Manping militia group is based in Manping village, 61 km northeast of Kutkai on the road to Muse. Around 9 a.m. on May 18, three Chinese-speaking men with a vehicle stopped the 40-year-old woman while she was walking in her ward, a source spoke to Shwe Phee Myay of anonymity.
They entered Muse in a vehicle with its number plate removed. They took her to one of their stations near Mingalar Muse Market, on the Chinese border. After detaining her for five days, the militia group’s members informed her family and forced them to pay 100 million kyats (approximately 24,000 US$) as ransom for her release, he added.
She was released on May 22 as her family paid the ransom to kidnappers.
A retired police officer remarked that even if the victim didn’t file a report, this case constitutes an invasive and obvious breach of state security. Therefore, officers should conduct investigations and act properly, in accordance with police regulations.
“Another point is that these groups frequently abduct and kidnap people, don’t they? Of course, militia groups may threaten people not to file cases against them,” he said.
Also on May 7, at approximately 8 a.m., the woman riding her motorcycle in Muse’s Kaung Hmu Lwal ward was abducted by three Chinese-speaking men. She was later released after her family paid them a 10-million-kyat ransom ((approximately 2,400 US$).
In the interview with that victim, she also revealed that the kidnappers were in militia uniforms, however, she couldn’t identify their specific group. Muse, notably, is home to numerous militia groups loyal to the junta’s military.
The retired officer also explained that some of the township’s police have ties to most kidnapping cases in Muse, which is why victims do not dare to report them.
Shwe Phee Myay, however, could not independently verify the reports or reach the Manping militia group for comment on the kidnapping case.
Residents in Muse, the border town adjacent to China’s Ruili, report a surge in violent crimes including kidnapping, murder, and robberies. However, the junta regime’s officers have been unable to apprehend criminals or effectively act in any of these recent cases.
Translated by #KLT
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