Pro-Myanmar Junta Militia Sells NLD Supporters’ Possessions
By The Irrawaddy 13 September 2022
Pro-Myanmar junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members are selling off the possessions of National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters in Mingon village in the south of Kantbalu Township, Sagaing Region, according to residents.
Last week they sold six cows and four buffalo owned by five families and a tractor, water pumps and furniture owned by another villager. It was reportedly the second time they sold off NLD supporters’ property.
U Paw Tar, whose possessions were sold by the Pyu Saw Htee, said: “I fled the village and my neighbors told me over the phone. I asked my friends to check and they confirmed all my possessions were gone.
“The Pyu Saw Htee members farm my 5 hectares of land and use my house as a base. I heard they are planning to sell my house,” he added.
He estimated that the militia members had sold more than 10 million kyats worth of his possessions.
Around 50 militia members, most of whom are villagers, led by Bo Naing, are based in the 200-house village.
An anonymous resident said: “Pyu Saw Htee members become increasingly despicable. First they threatened NLD supporters with their rifles, then they stole from those who fled and they sold 14 cows and two buffalo the first time,” he said.
Pyu Saw Htee has now sold 26 cattle owned by NLD supporters.
Around 100 villagers have fled Mingon amid Pyu Saw Htee threats and members say they will steal from anyone who does not return.
“Pyu Saw Htee members force NLD supporters out. They are beaten and harassed. The militia members are their neighbors so they know who supports the red [NLD] and green [military] and do as they please,” said a resident.
A Kantbalu NLD member, U Nyunt Win Naing, said: “Pyu Saw Htee members threaten to seize cattle from deserted houses to force villagers to return but they can’t risk their lives for their belongings.”
Pyu Saw Htee members have set up checkpoints around the village using weapons from the junta, according to the residents.
There have been no resistance attacks on the Pyu Saw Htee in Mingon but the militia members have allegedly killed three villagers and not returned their bodies.
The regime has carried out five air attacks with two Mi35 assault helicopters and one Mi17 transport helicopter and one Yak 130 fighter jet and the regime has airlifted in reinforcements to Kantbalu Township five times since August 23.
