Three administrators appointed by the military regime have been killed in Yangon, Mandalay and Sagaing regions in targeted attacks.
Regime-appointed ward administrators and police informants have been attacked. The regime has said “rioters”, a military euphemism for protesters, were behind the attacks. However, no one has claimed responsibilities for the attacks and The Irrawaddy cannot independently verify the regime’s claim.
Since the Feb. 1 coup, ward administration offices, which are key to the junta’s ability to govern the country, have suffered arson or bomb attacks in protest at new appointments by the regime.
Newly appointed ward administrators and police informants are increasingly being targeted for collaborating with the junta in arresting anti-regime protesters, striking government staff and other civilians opposing military rule.
On Thursday afternoon, a newly appointed ward administrator was reportedly stabbed to death by unknown men in Chanmyathazi Township, Mandalay Region, according to a resident.
On Tuesday evening, a Kyeekan village tract administrator in Khin-U Township, Sagaing Region, was stabbed to death when he was outside the village, according to a military-run newspaper.
Motorcyclists also opened fire on the house of Witoke village administrator U Than Myint in Tamu Township, Sagaing Region, on Monday night.
U Than Myint and his wife were injured and his daughter and grandson were killed, according to residents.
Last week the security forces searched the village with a list of homes supposedly holding traditional firearms. Villagers were urged to hand weapons to the village authorities.
During the raids, two villagers were beaten and detained by troops, a resident told The Irrawaddy.
Communities across Sagaing Region are resisting the military with homemade firearms and slingshots.
On Tuesday a ward administrator in Thaketa Township, Yangon, was reportedly stabbed to death at his office by three men saying they wanted to report overnight visitors.
Police stations and government and education offices have been attacked with firebombs and homemade bombs since March 14 when the regime killed more than 110 civilians in crackdowns on anti-regime protesters.
Junta troops continue to conduct crackdowns, raids and detentions and several civilians are killed each day.
By Wednesday, nearly 770 people have been killed by the security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
More than 3,600 people, including elected leaders, National League for Democracy members, election commissioners, doctors, journalists, protesters, writers and artists, have been detained.
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