A nineteen-year-old woman died a day after soldiers shot her and a friend when they drove by a government building where the military is staying.
Soldiers shot at Ma Nuam Za Thiang and friend Salai Ngun Nei Piang on their motorbike in Kalay, Sagaing Region, at about 9pm on June 23. Salai Ngun Nei Piang died instantly. Ma Nuam Za Thiang was shot in her leg and arrested immediately after the incident.
Both of them lived in Falam Township, in Chin State, and came to Kalay to visit Ma Nuam Za Thiang’s mother.
On Thursday, locals found Salai Ngun Nei Piang’s body in Tawng Philer ward, the same area of town where the soldiers shot them.
An army officer from the Kalay Military Hospital told Ma Nuam Za Thiang’s family she died from COVID-19 at 10:30am June 24. Because of this, they had to follow health regulations requiring them to cremate Ma Nuam Za Thiang’s body while taking necessary precautions for disease prevention.
Soldiers arrested three youths under 18 and uncle at their home near the Seik Kan Tha Bridge in Kalay at 8:00 am June 25.
“When the soldiers came to arrest them, they were sleeping at home,” said a man who had no idea why the military targeted the four people.
Soldiers arrested Salai Thang Biak Lien, 17, Salai Mang Kim Khuol, 16, Salai Thang Gin Hang, 14 and their uncle Salai Suan Lam Khai, 27.
On June 19, the Army arrested 15-year-old Maung Kyaw Min Khant Maung in Kalay.
“We have not been given any updated information about our son. Of course, we are very concerned about his health…We even tried to send him food, but police wouldn’t allow it,” Maung Kyaw Min Khant Maung’s father told Khonumthung News.
In Chin State, the military council has arrested 450 people and 47 people have died, according to Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO).
“Soldiers are arresting civilians without any reason and also raiding their homes and destroying their properties…In the streets, they are checking phones and questioning everyone. If they are suspicious, they will arrest them. They are treating people like animals,” Salai Van Biak Thang, CHRO program director, told Khonumthung News. Soldiers stole money from a church and broke into shops to steal motorbikes to sell.
Authorities arrested anyone for protesting, including people banging their pots and pans during a nightly ritual citizens of Burma started after the coup to show their defiance against the dictatorship. They are also grabbing people suspected of having links with the Chinland Defence Force.
In reality, many people have no idea why the armed forces arrested them, Salai Van Biak Thang explained. Soldiers are torturing them in the interrogation camp. Two people already died, according to CHRO.