Mi Lyi Htaw – Two residents of Three Pagodas Pass (TPP) Town sustained serious injuries after members of the People’s Militia from TPP Town, Karen State, Thai-Burma border, tortured them because of suspicions that they have ties to an armed group that has abducted people, said a source close to the two men.
The two residents, U Thet, 50 years old, and Maung Naing, 30 years old, who reside in the No. 3 Quarter of Three Pagodas Pass Town, were arrested on 16 August.
“U Thet was not severely injured, but Maung Naing is in critical condition until today. That’s why his family brought him to Kanchanaburi Hospital in Thailand after he was tortured. He was brought back to his house in TPP on 20 August. However, he can only drink water,” said the source.
It is believed U Thet is still in detention at the local police station, although authorities refused to confirm this.
A local officer of the New Mon State Party also confirmed that the two men were tortured by members of the People’s Militia.
“Maung Naing’s jaw was broken and most of his teeth were lost during the beating by the People’s Militia,” said a source close to the man.
Because members of the armed group that has recently abducted people often appear in the township, TPP township authorities, including members of the local army, held a meeting on 10 August with local plantation owners at the Township General Administration Department to establish the Town People’s Militia group.
On 7 August, one plantation owner and two plantation workers from TPP’s No. 3 Quarter were kidnapped by an anonymous group. The abductees were released after paying 50,000 Thai baht to the armed group.
The residents said the abductors have extorted money from wealthy men in town, including rubber plantation owners.
Because of the abductions, TPP villagers fear going to work in the plantations.
