Friends of a protester in Taungtha Township, Mandalay fear for his health and whereabouts after he was arrested by Myanmar junta security forces.

Ko Thein Soe (a.k.a) Than Soe, who was marching in the front row holding a flag during an anti-coup protest in Taungtha Township, Mandalay region was arrested by the junta troops after being issued a warrant under Section 505 (a) of the Criminal Code and was reportedly tortured.

Ko Thein Soe, who had been on the run since the Taungtha police station issued an arrest warrant for him in June, returned to his hometown last month and was arrested on Kyaunglong Dam Road in Taungtha Township at 11 pm on December 26, a source close to him told Mizzima.

He had attempted to escape, was captured, stripped naked and beaten.

“It is not known if he is dead or alive,” the source said.

Ko Thein Soe, 28, lives in Ward No (1), Taungtha township and works as a motorcycle cleaner. After he had been arrested, his mother and sister fled the area for fear of being attacked by the junta troops, locals said.

Local residents said after his arrest, the junta troops checked the entire Taungtha township with the household registration lists on December 28, and threatened family members to be arrested and their houses sealed off if those on the list do not return within the allotted time.