The regime-controlled Pa-O National Organisation (PNO) allegedly killed a drug user after soldiers beat him and two others they’d detained in southern Shan State.

According to a friend of the victim, who spoke to SHAN on condition of anonymity, Thein Kyaw Tun, 23, was unable to walk when he was released. His ear was cut off, his back was littered with blows from a stick and his neck was injured from a rope.

Thein Kyaw Tun died on 13 October, four days after his family paid money to the PNO for his freedom.

The other men, who were also seriously injured, are receiving medical treatment in hospital. One of them also lost his ear and the other has wounds on his stomach.

Maj Than Kywe, spokesperson for the PNO, said he wasn’t aware of his soldiers beating the three villagers from Myoe Soe in Lawksawk Township. ”If my soldiers have done this, they’ll be punished according to the law,” he said, but doubted that any of his men could be responsible for it

Following the incident, many youths from Myoe Soe have fled the village, while other locals are demanding justice over the PNO’s ill treatment of the three men.