Only a few of the 32 people abducted by junta troops from two locations in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, have been released, while the majority remain held.

On April 21, junta troops simultaneously raided Mai Hospital and Uyusut Guesthouse in Lone Khin Village, Hpakant Township, and detained a total of 32 people, including a doctor and other health workers. Only a few have since been released, a Hpakant resident told KNG.

“So far, only a few have been released. Dr Yarzar Tun of Mai Hospital and some of his patients are still being held, and those taken from Uyusut Guesthouse have also not been released,” he said.

There were 21 people abducted from Mai Hospital, including Dr Yarzar Tun, medical staff, and patients. Some of the health workers have since been released, but the doctor and his patients remain in custody. In addition, only 6 of the 11 people detained from the guesthouse have been released, the source added.

The junta is still holding the detainees at Hpakant police station, citing various suspicions, a source involved in the region's resistance movement said.

“They are likely being held by the junta on suspicion of links to resistance forces. Some have been released, but most remain in detention. It is also believed that information provided by some individuals may have led to the arrests,” he noted.

Junta forces and allied militia members entered Aungyar Village in the Lone Khin Village Tract around 7:30 p.m. on April 21 and carried out abductions.

The junta has retaken some areas previously controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in the Lone Khin Village Tract and has been setting up checkpoints at village entrances and exits, where it has arbitrarily checked and detained civilians for about two weeks.