An anti-regime people’s authority in Magwe Region flogged two women for allegedly being abusive during a village meeting.
Daw Htay Kyi, 58, and Daw Zin Mar Khaing, 38, were from Hnaw village in Saw Township.
The deputy head of the Pa Ka Pha (people’s defense team) in Kyauk Htu town ordered the caning on July 21 for sneering while members of the people’s authority and Pa Ka Pha addressed a meeting on July 19 in Hnaw.
The village Pa Ka Pha head told The Irrawaddy: “They swore as I stood up to speak. Yes, they were flogged. The deputy chief was angry at their rude words despite us exercising strict discipline. When I went to the [Pa Ka Pha office] on July 21, Daw Zin Mar Khaing was already in the stocks. We have two types of punishment, caning and fines, and they were caned.”
The two women were put in stocks, their hands tied behind their backs and they lay on their stomachs as they were flogged more than 30 times with bamboo sticks. Daw Htay Kyi was hit in her face, hurting her nose and cheekbone, according to a witness.
Photos show the two women with black bruises on their hips, thighs and shins. They did not receive proper medical treatment, said residents.
Some residents said Daw Zin Mar Khaing was around four months’ pregnant and miscarried due to the flogging. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify that.
Saw Township Pa Ka Pha head U Kyaw Myint said he had not received any complaint about the beating and there was no medical letter confirming the pregnancy.
In Hnaw village, the people’s authority, allied to the National Unity Government (NUG), and the Pa Ka Pha run an administration, imposing punishments such as flogging and shackling.
Residents said beating civilians, particularly women, by organizations fighting the military dictatorship for democracy is unacceptable. They called on the NUG to stop the punishments.
A resident, who did not want to be named, said: “It is totally unacceptable. What we want is democracy based on human rights. While they say they are fighting for democracy, they violate human rights. I doubt they really want democracy.”
The head of Hnaw village Pa Ka Pha claimed that Daw Htay Kyi had been warned for saying that she would lead junta troops to people’s authority and Pa Ka Pha members should soldiers come to their village and tell them to burn their houses. But residents said no one had ever been harmed by Daw Htay Kyi.
