Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State: One of four Mon youths from Tarana village, who were detained by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) over an alleged drug-related issue, has died after reportedly being beaten while in custody.
According to local residents close to the DKBA, on July 3, DKBA members arrived in Tarana village and arrested four Mon youths in their early 20s who were allegedly using drugs. They were taken to the DKBA’s base area in Pai village, Kawkareik Township.
A Kawkareik resident close to the DKBA said that one of the four youths died on July 6 as a result of severe beatings during their detention.
As of today, the body of the deceased youth from Tarana village has not been returned to his family. The remaining three youths are still being held, and their families have not been able to contact them.
“The parents have asked DKBA to return their child’s body, but they have not handed it over. The other three youths are also still being detained,” the resident said.
It was also reported that before the death occurred, the Ramanya Mon Army (RMA) had contacted DKBA officials and requested assistance in having the youths released.
Local residents said that the same group of youths had previously been arrested by the military’s local administrative authorities over a drug-related case.
“Before they were arrested by DKBA, these youth had already been detained once by the military because of drugs. They had to pay a fine of 300,000 kyats each,” the resident added.
The Independent Mon News Agency is still attempting to contact the DKBA for comment regarding the death.
In April, DKBA’s No. (2) Tactical Command Center under the Dawna Western Division issued a statement warning that anyone found guilty of illegally possessing, distributing, or selling narcotic and psychotropic substances would face imprisonment ranging from three to six years.
Previously, Mon and Karen armed organizations had agreements to transfer individuals detained over cases including drug-related offenses back to their ethnic armed organization. However, sources said that this agreement was not followed in this case.
