50 Civilians Killed Throughout This Month, Myanmar Military Violence Death Toll Reaches 1,281 People

JAKARTA - Dozens of civilians have been killed so far this month, bringing the death toll from the Myanmar military regime's violence soaring, according to local humanitarian groups.

The bodies of a 23-year-old female medic and two male members of the Kale People's Defense Force (PDF) were found at a camp raided by junta forces last Tuesday in Kale Township, Sagaing Region.

The civil resistance group said the victims were Biak Rem Chin, Cher Thang Puia, and Ram Mawia.

Biak Rem Chin, also known as Chin Chin, provided medical training at the camp. He died from a gunshot wound to the forehead. Meanwhile, Cher Thang Puia and Ram Mawia showed signs of torture on their faces.

While during the raids, the junta arrested nine female medics at the base and their condition is still unknown.

The additional three deaths bring the civilian death toll from the Myanmar military regime's violence to at least 1,281, said the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which lists killings and arrests by the junta. The group estimates the true toll is much higher.

According to the latest AAPP report, junta forces have killed around 50 civilians so far this month, including five teenagers, bystanders, villagers, a striking teacher, and a hostage.

Middle school teacher U Zaw Min Aung (40) who joined the civil disobedience movement by refusing to work under the regime, was tortured to death within hours of interrogation after being detained in Myin Thar village, Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region.

He was arrested along with other civilians on the night of November 17th and accused of possessing a link to a PDF.

As for Ko Ye Aung, who was captured as a hostage in the village of Kyauktada in the Mandalay Region, he was tortured to death during interrogation, the AAPP said, quoted from The Irrawaddy November 23.

On November 12, Ko Myint Naing and Ko Ye Aung, the father and uncle of a young activist who is facing an arrest warrant for sedition, were detained. The next day, Ko Ye Aung's family was told to retrieve his body, which appeared to be covered with torture wounds.

Myanmar's junta forces are said to have detained more than 10,000 people, while nearly 2,000 are facing arrest warrants. Many relatives of fugitive activists have been held hostage by the junta.

Not only adults but several minors were also arrested. The AAPP said the 13-year-old son of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) member U Htay Aung was arrested when junta forces could not find him.

On the morning of November 13, the junta captured U Thein Naing Tun's wife and a young philanthropist named Ko Thein Zaw as hostages in Taung Tha Township, Mandalay Region, when troops failed to locate former village administrator U Thein Naing Tun and two other fugitives.

The Myanmar Coup. VOI editors continue to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Civilian casualties continued to fall. Readers can follow news about the Myanmar military coup by tapping this link.