Two Civilians Killed and Another Seriously Injured by Burma Army in Three Separate Incidents; Large Drug Haul Recovered From Burma Army Position

Three fresh incidents of Burma Army troops violating civilians’ rights have resulted in deaths or severe injuries. The first case involved the Burma Army firing without provocation on civilians in northern Shan State, killing one and injuring another. The second case involved a man who had been forced to labour for the Burma Army and was later found dead. In addition to these killings, a substantial supply of illicit drugs has been recovered in an overrun Burma Army position near Loi Lum Village, Nam Hkam Township, Shan State.

Sixty-Year Old Man Shot to Death By Burma Army

On 23 April, a civilian named Mr. Yang Tu was shot to death in an unprovoked incident by Burma Army soldiers of Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 501 at Man Jak Village, Muse Township in northern Shan State. Mr. Yang Tu was killed while taking care of his cattle in a field close to the village.

Burma Army Shoot Youth Without Reason

A Kachin youth was shot by Burma Army troops and sustained serious injuries to his calf and thigh. The soldiers fired five times at the youth without any reason.

The incident occurred at 20:00 on the evening of Saturday the 25^th of April near Nam Jarap in Kuthkai Township, northern Shan State. The victim has been admitted to a hospital in Lashio, Shan State.

Forced Labourer Found Dead

On 16 April Maran Zau La (aged 33), son of Mr. Maran Hkun Hpung, was found dead in an irrigation canal close to his home. Maran Zau Laa was a resident of Pin Lung Village in Kuthkai Township in the Kachin Independence Army’s (KIAs) 4^th Brigade area.

Reports state that his body showed signs of torture and Zau La had been forced to act as a guide for Burma Army troops of Light Infantry Division (LID) 11 for 40 days prior to his death. Local villagers assert that Burma Army soldiers are responsible. Zau La was a civilian unaffiliated with any local organizations resisting central government actions in the region.

Large Stash of Illicit Drugs Recovered from Burma Army Position

Between 14:00-16:00 on the afternoon of 17 April Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) troops exchanged fire with Burma Army and local militia troops near Loi Lum Village, Nam Hkam Township. In the ensuing battle four of the Burma Army militia were killed and six were injured.

The TNLA subsequently recovered a box of heroin, 142,000 amphetamines pills and 15 kilograms of poppy sap from the Burma Army possessions. The local value of these narcotics would be at least $600,000 – they would be worth considerably more in neighboring countries.

God bless you,

Free Burma Rangers