Cases of forceful disappearance on the rise in Yebyu

May 22, 2024

HURFOM: Since early 2024, the number of cases of forceful disappearance have been on the rise in Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division. Unknown armed groups have been arresting and forcefully disappearing local villagers, after accusing them of working as military informants.

In March, 2024, a retired soldier and two local villagers from Yebyu Township were arrested by an unknown armed group. Family members have since lost contact with those abducted.

On May 15th, 2024, a 40-year-old man, named U San Tint, from Taung Yin Inn village, Yebyu Township was arrested by an unknown armed group at his house.

“He disappeared from his house in the evening. When asking villagers about the incident, they dare not say anything. Last year, a man from the village was arrested by an unknown armed group and killed after a week,” said a resident from a nearby village.

U San Tint is a plantation owner and as of today, no one knows which armed group has arrested him.

“Why was he arrested? When people are asking for a reason, (the armed group) releases a statement saying he was killed because he worked as a military informant. It has become normal here. Some villagers were forcefully disappeared and killed, even though they did nothing wrong,” said a local source from Yebyu Township.

Since February 1, 2021, nearly 30 armed groups have been active in the Tenasserim Division.

Written by HURFOM · Filed Under News