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SHAN STATE – The Pa’O National Liberation Army (PNLA) announced that they have arrested eight thieves red-handed in Hsihseng Town, part of the Pa’O Self-administered Region in southern Shan State.
The arrest was made on April 3 based on reports from the citizens and it is said that Lieutenant Lay Khun Thon from the junta subordinate Pa’O National Army (PNA) Pyithusit militia was also among the arrested thieves.
“When the battle broke out, civilians had to flee to safety. Making use of that, addicts with bad morale broke into and steal (from the houses). The people know the identity of the thieves. So they reported to us and we made the arrests,” explained a PNLA spokesperson.
Currently, PNLA has opened a trial against the captured thieves and plan to have them punished by the Prison Department of the PNLA based on the results of the trial.
“There are various forms of punishment. Stealing poultry can result in caning but in these cases where they stole the valuable properties of the civilians, caning may not be sufficient as punishment. They will be sent to jail,” added the above spokesperson.
It is said that over 20 thieves have been captured since the last week of January when battles first broke out in Hsihseng and they are reportedly detained at the PNLA prison department, following the human rights standards.
Residents reported that the junta council forces are similarly looting and stealing from the houses in the villages along Maenae Mountain in Hopong Township and mailing back the valuables to the rear, addressed to their wives.