Family says Ramree Twsp villager’s status unknown after taken into Tatmadaw custody

By Hnin Nwe 30 Jan 2021

Hnin Nwe | DMG
30 January 2021, Sittwe  

A resident of Kalapon village in Ramree Township has been missing for almost three months after he was taken from police custody by the Tatmadaw, having been accused of desertion and terrorism, according to family members of the man. 

Ko Tun Min Soe is alleged to have illegal ties to the Arakan Army ethnic armed group, and also stands accused of deserting his Yangon-based military unit. 

The Tatmadaw reportedly took him into its custody in November after opening a case against him under the Counter-Terrorism Law, but he has not been heard from since. 

“We would be happy just to know whether he is still alive or not. My husband has no links to the Arakan Army, but he is a deserter,” Ma Soe Hnin Wai, the wife of Ko Tun Min Soe, told DMG. 

According to family members, Ko Tun Min Soe formerly served in the Tatmadaw’s No. 11 Division based in Hlegu Township, Yangon Region, but had been back working in his home village of Kalapon for about two years. 

Ma Soe Hnin Wai said her family was struggling to make ends meet in Ko Tun Min Soe’s absence. 

“We accepted that he would be imprisoned as a deserter. If he was involved in terrorist activities, he will be imprisoned on terrorism charges according to the law. We don’t know where he is detained,” said U Tun Yin Oo, the father of Ko Tun Min Soe.   

DMG phoned Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun and Brig-Gen Ye Yint Aung from the Tatmadaw True News Information Team seeking comment on the matter, but they could not be reached. 

Five residents of Kalapon including Ko Tun Min Soe were arrested by Tatmadaw troops in November, accused of Arakan Army affiliation and involvement in an attack on a military boat in the area. The four other villagers were transferred to Kyaukphyu Myoma police station and have reportedly been charged under Sections 50(a), 50(j) and 52(a) of the Counter-Terrorism Law.   

Dozens of people have been arrested by the Tatmadaw over recent months on suspicion of having illegal ties to the Arakan Army, which the government has designated a terrorist group.