According to people close to them, some civilians in Ye Township, Mon State, who were arrested and released by the military junta, now suffer from psychological problems.
The military junta’s 588th Light Infantry Battalion, based in Mawt Ka Nin, Ye Township, has been demanding excessive sums of money for the release of civilians who were unjustly arrested and subsequently released.
Among those arrested, those who could pay were not tortured, but some who could not pay were tortured and released.
“Due to the beatings he endured during his arrest by the military junta, the individual who has been released is no longer in good health. He now needs to consult with outside doctors and undergo X-rays, which come at a considerable cost. He’s unable to sleep at night. His mental state has also been affected, and it’s unclear how severe the beatings were,” he explained.
According to local residents, most of those arrested were farm workers, and were required to pay between 10 and 40 lakhs per person for their release.
“One asked for 10 lakhs, while some were demanding 40 lakhs. If you can’t afford such amounts, you must negotiate. Most of those arrested were working on the farm,” said one resident.
According to those who were freed, the military junta warned them not to make any social media posts or spread news about their arrests and payments.
According to residents, the military junta troops in the township where martial law has been declared have been unjustly arresting civilians and demanding extortion money.
In Ye Township, there is intense fighting between the military junta and the revolutionary forces operating in the region.
