According to local residents, ten individuals arrested in Oketadar village, Paung Township, Mon State, are accused of having affiliations with the People’s Defense Force (PDF). The military junta has filed anti-terrorism charges against them.
The military junta opened a case against Oketadar villagers, including Chit Tu Paing, Min Tun Myint Kyaw, Saw Yarzar Min, Aung Min Htwe on October 2, Daw Khin Than Nu, Daw Zin Mar Htwe, Daw Sandar Linn on September 28, and Daw Cho Win, Daw Khin Thida Kyaw, and U Pho Cho on September 20, charging a total of 10 people under Sections 52(a), 50(j), and 51(c) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, which carries a life sentence.
In September 2023, border police officer Ko Ko Lwin and former People’s Army member U Kyar Kyi were shot and killed in Paung Township. The police station and general office were also attacked. The military junta subsequently arrested and checked at least 20 local residents from Oketadar village and Yinnyein (South) village.
“When the arrested people had their phones reviewed by the military junta, it was found that they were communicating with PDFs and supporting them,” said a source close to the military junta.
Chan Lwin Oo, Aung Min Ko, Thein Zaw Win from Oketadar village, and AeKhu, along with Kyaw Htwe (5) from Takhuntaing village in Innbyaung village, who were arrested following the shooting death of Border Police officer Ko Ko Lwin at Paung town police station, were reportedly released on October 2.
The military junta also arrested eight Yinnyein (South) villagers in connection with the shooting of U Kyar Kyi, a former member of the People’s Army. His family has not been able to make contact with him, nor are they aware of his condition.
According to local residents, after the military coup in Paung township, members of the military junta, administrators and members of political parties were shot and killed.
