Three men killed after being accused of being military informants: Surviving family members file complaint

February 14, 2024

HURFOM: On December 19th, 2023, three goldmine workers from Kyauk Lone Gyi village, Ka Lane Aung Town, Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division were killed by the Kaw Thu Lay Army (KTLA).

The three victims were 52-year-old U Kyaw Aye and his son – 22-year-old Ko Htet Myat Aung and 38-year-old Ko Hla Myint.

All three were murdered after the army accused them of being military informants. Family members of the victims disagree with this allegation and are filing a complaint regarding the actions of the KTLA.

“The three victims were illiterate. They were daily workers. The family members totally disagree with the allegation that they were military informants,” said Ko San Shay, the village Head of Kyauk Lone Gyi village.

They left the village and went to the goldmine on December 16th, 2023 and were arrested by the KTLA on their way to their workplace. Then, they were killed.

After the arrest, family members contacted Caption Htar Lar of the KTLA and asked about them. The Captain said they would be released in the evening. However, they were never released, and family members were unable to contact them for the next 10 days.

In the third week of December, family members learned the KTLA accused them of being informants for the 282^nd Light Infantry Battalion and killed them.

“I just wanted to know why they were killed,” said Ko San Shay.

In November, 2023, more than 10 local villagers were killed by the Long Lone Township People’s Defense Force following accusations that they were military informants.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News