According to resistance forces, five members of the Pyusawhti militia from Bago Region, who were captured near the base of Kyaiktiyo Mountain in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, are still in custody and will be compelled to publicly confess their crimes.
On April 15, resistance forces detained a total of 48 individuals, including Pyusawhti members from Nyaunglebin Township, Bago Region, who had traveled to Kyaiktiyo for religious purposes. The arrests took place at a restaurant near the Kadat Chaung waterfall in Kyaikto Township. Of the 48, only the militia leader and four other members were held; the rest were released.
A representative from the resistance group in Thaton District told the Independent Mon News Agency that the five detainees will be made to publicly confess to their crimes against civilians, and that the statement will be transparently shared with the public.
“We fed and released the wives and children of the Pyusawhti members. But we cannot release the men. They will be held accountable and punished. They committed serious crimes, so we must take effective legal action,” the spokesperson said.
The Pyusawhti members are accused of collaborating with the military junta in murdering civilians, concealing corpses, burning homes, and abducting young people for forced military recruitment.
However, no detailed explanation has been given regarding the specific legal procedures or punishments that will be imposed on the Pyusawhti leader and members currently in custody.
The resistance representative also warned the public to be cautious of misinformation spread by military-controlled media, which could distort public opinion about the resistance movement and its actions.
“They [military media] spin stories to fit their agenda, like claiming we arrested pilgrims. That’s just to create misunderstandings between us and the people. That’s the kind of thing they do. We never act carelessly or do anything that would harm civilians,” he added.
In October 2022, clashes occurred between resistance forces and junta troops near the base of Kyaiktiyo Mountain. Skirmishes also continued around the Kin Mun Chaung police station, about a mile from the mountain base.
Additionally, in Kyaikto Township, resistance groups and unidentified armed actors have repeatedly targeted Pyusawhti militia members, junta-appointed administrators, and military informants with warnings, threats, and attacks, including shootings.
