The Burma army detained 13 civilians in Mindat Township of southern Chin state on 25 February.
Three of the people detained remain in captivity at the headquarters of Infantry Battalion 274 (IB-274) in Mindat town, according to local sources.
Around 6 a.m. on 25 February, more than 50 Burma army soldiers went on patrol to Ywe Twee and Pang Au villages which are located near Mindat town. At Ywe Twee village, 13 people including a 13-year old boy were detained.
“The military column arrived first at Ywe Twee village and arrested four people there. The military column then travelled to other villages in the area and arrested a total of 13 people. They released 10 of the villagers when the military column arrived at the entrance of Pang Au village. They have continued to detain three villagers,” a local female, with knowledge of the detained people, told Khonumthung News.
The three villagers who remain in detention include one female. Burma army soldiers beat one of the male detainee after soldiers found a walkie-talkie in his hands. All three were brought to IB-274 headquarters in Mindat town.
“Soldiers found a walkie-talkie in the hands of a man. After that, soldiers ordered other detained people to look away, then soldiers tortured the man. Finally, soldiers brought him together with a female and another man to IB-274,” a man, who is close to some of the released people, told Khonumthung News.
Soldiers from IB-274 have patrolled Mindat town and nearby villages in Mindat Township in recent days.
After the military council activated the National Conscription Law, the Burma army has collected population list in Mindat town.