A woman from Maungmakan Village, Launglon Township, Tanintharyi Region, remains missing more than two weeks after being detained by an unknown armed group. There has been no communication since her arrest, intensifying their concern, according to the source.
On October 10, Daw Khin Hnang, aged 50, was reportedly detained by two unidentified gunmen near the “Lay Thar” Monastery in Maungmakan Village. Local sources say that surrounding armed groups active in the Launglon area, including the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), have denied involvement in her detention, leaving her family in deep worry.
“We haven’t heard anything since then. We asked the local PDF, but they said they hadn’t detained or arrested her. Her home is near the Maungmakan police station, so we suspect she may have been taken due to suspicions of aiding the authorities,” said a local woman familiar with the situation.
The Dawei District Strike Committee has appealed to all armed groups to avoid arresting or harming civilians without valid evidence.
“The number of missing civilians has risen during the resistance period. Families are left in limbo, not knowing if their loved ones are alive. Armed groups must handle such cases responsibly. We believe the National Unity Government’s Ministry of Justice should address these incidents effectively, though they face limitations in the field,” said Ko Min Lwin Oo, an organizer from the Dawei Strike Committee.
The woman’s family and community continue to call for information on her whereabouts, hoping for her safe return amidst the increasing security challenges in Tanintharyi Region.
According to the Rehmonnya Institute’s monthly report, 106 civilians were detained in Tanintharyi in September alone, many allegedly taken by armed groups for various reasons.
