A high school principal from Kyaungywar Village High School in Ye Township, Mon State, has been arrested by a local revolutionary armed group for allegedly being involved in activities linked to election-related laws, according to revolutionary sources.
The principal, U Thura Tun, 58, was arrested at around 3 p.m. on January 3 while traveling by motorcycle from Kyaungywar Village to his home in Mudon Township, sources said.
He was stopped at a checkpoint operated by a revolutionary force on the No. 8 Union Highway, between Weakhami and Mawtkanin villages. During the inspection, members of the group reportedly found communications and activities related to voting matters on his mobile phone.
A source close to the revolutionary forces in Ye Township said the arrest was made because the materials found on his phone were considered to be linked to election-related activities prohibited by revolutionary laws.
“The school principal was serving as a polling station officer, including for advance voting. He was arrested by one revolutionary group, although it is not clear which group. Messages and actions related to voting were found on his phone, so he was arrested under election-related laws,” the source said.
Sources also said the principal had been assigned as an advance voting officer in Kyaungywar Village. An official statement regarding his arrest is expected to be released after the election period, according to those familiar with the case.
The Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF) said it has no information about the arrest. MSRF spokesperson Mi Tala Nyan told the Independent Mon News Agency that the group was not involved in the incident.
As of now, U Thura Tun’s family members are still searching for information about his whereabouts. They have not received any contact and are increasingly concerned, according to people close to the family.
Along the Ye–Thanbyuzayat road, education staff involved in election processes have reportedly been frequently targeted for arrest. On August 14, 2025, four female teachers on duty in Ye Township were arrested by the MSRF. They were later released on August 16 after being required to sign statements pledging not to take part in election-related activities, sources said.
