National League for Democracy member arrested and killed in Magway region

Thaw Zin Oo was tied up, tortured and shot in the back of the head.
 
 

A member of the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) News and Information group has been arrested and killed by junta forces, according to locals in Seikphyu township in Myanmar’s Magway region.

On Sept. 22, around 70 junta soldiers raided Ah Nauk Ka Hpyu village. Two men, 35-year-old NLD member Thaw Zin Oo and 25-year-old Win Htike Aung were tied up and beaten, a resident, who declined to be named for safety reasons, told RFA.

“When the military columns got into the village, they remained… and were arrested in a house,” the local said. “The two of them were tied up with rope.”

A local witness said that after the military troops left the village on Sept. 24, Win Htike Aung was found alive but still tied up. Thaw Zin Oo's body was found in the forest between Ah Aauk Ka Hpyu village and Wea Ma village on the following day.

“When we found Thaw Zin Oo’s body, his hands were tied behind him and we found torture wounds. He had been shot in the head from behind,” a local witness told RFA.

Local residents said Thaw Zin Oo may have been tortured all night and killed when soldiers found photos of protests supporting the NLD when they checked his phone.

Eyewitnesses said that Thaw Zin Oo had injuries all over his body and one eye was bulging forward. They said they did not know the name of the military council battalion or unit that committed the torture and killing.

Calls to the State Administration Council spokesman for the Magway region government went unanswered on Tuesday.

There are nearly 400 houses with about 1,500 people in Ah Nauk Ka Hpyu village.

According to NLD records, 56 party members, including Thaw Zin Oo were arrested and killed by military council forces since the coup on Feb. 1, 2021.