Two youths detained by the Burma Army (BA) in Hpakant Township are yet to be released.

On 23 July, the army abducted five youths from their homes in Sel Zin in Hpakant Township. A few days later, three of the youths were released, but Tat Toe, 25, and Power, 22, haven’t been set free.

According to a local source who requested anonymity, the five youths were abducted after the armed forces allegedly discovered something about the BA’s military operations and photos of People’s Defence Forces (PDF) in some of the youths’ photos.

On 30 June, the PDF and the Kachin Independence Army ambushed armed forces in Sel Zin, killing many BA soldiers. Since the coup, fighting between the groups happens frequently.

In June, the BA detained 23 civilians in Metlin and 12 are still being held.

Eight people, including one man from Seng Tawng, have been detained since 13 July after returning from a demonstration against the dictatorship.