Drug User Dies 5 Days After Being Arrested by KIA in Kutkai

A man living in Ward 2 of Kutkai Township, controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army – PSLF/TNLA, was arrested by the Kachin Independence Army – KIO/KIA Regiment (9) for drug use and died 5 days later, according to reports. 

On the evening of August 19, 30-year-old Mai Sai Myint Htun (@) Maung Maung was arrested by the Kachin Independence Army- KIA, and his family was informed that he had died on the night of August 23.

On August 24, the family, the Ward Administrator, and the Ta’ang Committee for Literature and Culture brought Maung Maung’s body to the Kutkai Hospital morgue, the family told TWO.

‘‘What I want is to be fair, though, it’s over, and he’s no longer alive. As a member of the family, I want to know if this was really an accident, or if he died from injuries for being stabbed or beaten. I told them that we would talk again when I find out the truth. The hospital’s medical records showed that he died from a head injury. There were bruises on his body, and his hands were black and bruised. There were also bruises on his head,” a family member said.

A medical examination at the hospital showed that Maung Maung died of bleeding, and red blood cells were found in his head. He had black and bruised injuries on his body from being beaten.

“They said that they were trying to break the chains. When they untied his ankles, he ran away. They chased him and punished him when they caught him. They said that this is the same punishment they give in the army. When they caught him, they tied both his hands and beat him. They made an example of him so that others would not run away. He had not eaten for four days and died because he had no strength,” a family member added.

KIA’s explanation to the family that Maung Maung died of exhaustion after not eating for four days was not consistent with the autopsy report.

On August 26, KIA soldiers visited the family members to discuss the death of Ko Maung Maung. KIA offered to pay 3,000,000 kyats for the funeral, but the family members refused and they offered to increase the amount to 7,000,000 kyats. However, the family members did not agree, so the first meeting and negotiations were ended. 

“They said they would help with 3,000,000 kyats, but I said I could not accept it. 300,000 kyats is not enough for a funeral in this era. Finally, they said 7,000,000 kyats, and we told them to pay 70,000,000 kyats. This is a lesson for them, and we must ensure that no group dares to commit such a crime in the future,” he added.

At the request of the family members, KIA should agree to pay 70,000,000 kyats in compensation. The family members, the district commanders, the police chiefs from the Kachin Independent Army, the Kachin Literary and Cultural Organization, and the Kutkai Ta’ang Committee for Literary and Cultural will meet again to negotiate.

Image – TWO

#Kachin Army

#KIA

#Human Rights Violations

#Deaths

#Kutkai

#Local