SHAN STATE – Two young women from the western part of Kaungboe Village in Yaksauk Township, southern Shan State, were unlawfully arrested and imprisoned by the junta council on accusations of supporting the revolutionary forces, reported an acquaintance of the victims.
19 year old Ms. Thandar Kyaw and 22 year old Ms. Mie Mie Soe, sisters, were sentenced to prison on December 28, five months after their arrest, said a family acquaintance.
The younger sister, Ms. Thandar Kyaw was abducted by around 30 junta troops on July 2, 2023 and was sentenced to 13 years in prison at the Taunggyi District Court on December 28 under sections 50(j) and 52(b) of the Terrorism Act.
The older sister, Ms. Mie Mie Soe, was taken away by junta forces on July 3 for not reporting her sister supporting the revolutionary forces and sentenced to three years in prison under section 52(b) of the Terrorism Act by Taunggyi District Court on December 28 as well.
“They were arrested without evidence. The next day after the younger sister was arrested, the older sister was taken away while delivering clothes to her sister saying it’s only for a short time but was sent to the interrogation center,” explained the family acquaintance.
Their mother, Ms. Tin Moe Khine was also detained for around a month by the junta council before getting released.
The two sisters are said to be the first and only residents of Kaungboe Village to be unjustly arrested and imprisoned for political reasons.
According to residents, at present, RCSS (Restorative Council of Shan State) often campaigns in Kaungboe Village while the Pa’o National Organisation (PNO) collects tax from the residents on behalf of the junta forces.
Although there are no junta forces stationed at the village, they would often come into the village to patrol, said the residents.