Fifteen NLD supporters detained in Ayeyarwady after killing of alleged military informant

Junta forces detained 15 people in a village in Ayeyarwady Region following the killing of an alleged military informant last week, locals have told Myanmar Now. 

Win Myint Aung, also known as Gyat Gyi, was shot dead in Thapyay Kone village, Myan Aung Township, on October 1, prompting junta forces to detain six women and nine men who were known to be supporters of the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) government.  

“They were arrested on the same night of the assassination and they’re still arresting more and more people to this day,” one local resident said. “They didn’t even give us any reason for their arrests. They’re just arresting whoever they want.”

In July soldiers started hunting for resistance fighters in villages around Myan Aung, which sits next to the Rakhine Mountains, believing that the People’s Defence Force (PDF) was training people in the area. A number of young people fled the area during those raids. 

Junta forces made dozens of arrests in Ayeyarwady Region last month as part of its efforts to prevent armed resistance to the coup regime taking hold there like it has in Sagaing, Chin, Magway and elsewhere. 

The 15 people arrested this month were taken to the Thapyay Kone regional police station for interrogation, the resident said. Myanmar Now was unable to reach the station to speak to police there about the arrests and was unable to confirm the detainees’ names. 

The military council said in June that it arrested six PDF fighters near Bant Bwe Kone village in Myan Aung, but locals told Myanmar Now that the detainees were not involved in the armed resistance movement. 

There are at least 7,104 people in detention across the country for opposing the coup regime, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners said on October 6.