Jaloon Htaw – Two kidnapped villagers from Kha-rich, Karen State, were released from an island in the Gyaing River, Karen State, after ransom was paid to their kidnappers.
Nai Kon Jork, 40 years old, was ransomed for one million kyat and four kyat of gold (Burmese measurement) on August 25, while A Naing, 36 years old, was released after the kidnappers secured a ransom of four million kyat and two kyat of gold, according to a Kha-rich villager.
Both of the men have fled to Thai-Burma Border town of Myawaddy because they do not dare to remain in their native town, said Nai Kon Jork.
Nai Kon Jork explained, “Our family has moved here, and we do not dare to live at our village. They kidnapped us without any reason. We borrowed the ransom money from our relatives to give to the abductors. Now we have to pay interest for that money, and we have to work to pay back that money.”
He said that the armed group of abductors consisted of three men armed with guns, and six others armed with bombs. Both of the abductees were taken to a small island in the Gyaing River. The armed group threatened that they would kill the kidnapped villagers if ransoms were not paid to them.
Following the kidnapping of the two men, the villagers of Kha-rich are afraid to sleep at night, according to a local villager.
“Currently that armed group is moving their activities to Than-hlae village,” said a villager.
Both of the villagers were kidnapped on the evening of 24 August. The abductors originally demanded 15 million kyat as ransom.
