Than Mrat Khaing - Family members are deeply concerned over the fate of 8 people arrested by army troops recently from Tinma village in Kyauktaw.

Eight were arrested from Tin Ma village under Kyauk Taw Township by Tatmadaw soldiers on March 13.  As of noon on March 14 there has been no news concerning the fate or whereabouts of the arrested.

Daw Ma Aye, who’s husband U Maung Than Soe was amongst those arrested in Tin Ma (New) village.  She has had no contact with him.  He has not yet returned and she is deeply anxious concerning her husband’s situation.

“There’s a tamarind tree by the playing field behind the school.   A group of about ten Tatmadaw soldiers gathered the men, women, children and elderly together under the tree. They ordered eight of the men to strip. They blindfolded them with their clothes, and then took them away.  I don’t know where they were taken.  They told us not to look at them and to go home”, she said.

The arrested persons from Tin Ma (New) village were rice and vegetable farmers, and lived a hand to mouth existence.  She said they were innocent and requested their immediate release.

Those arrested from Tin Ma village have been named as U Maung Sein Gyi, U Kyaw Win Maung, U Hla Kyaw Gyi, U Maung Than Soe, U Saw Shwe Than, U San Thar Maung, U maung Mya Aye and U Maung Tun Sein.