Five years after the brutal rape and murder of two Kachin teachers in northern Shan State, the chairperson of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) said that justice has been delayed because witnesses have been afraid to speak out.
Maran Lu Ra and Tangbau Hkawn Nan Tsin were killed in Kawng Hka village on January 19, 2015. A memorial service for the two young women was held at Jaw Bum prayer hill in Myitkyina on Sunday. Nearly 2,000 people attended.
KBC chair Dr. Hkalam Samson said that villagers who may have more information about the crime “need to be brave” and share what they know.
“We requested that they testify in court what happened in their village, but they couldn’t do it. They were so worried. So we didn’t put pressure on them to tell,” he explained. “If they spoke out with the truth, it would be easier to seek out the perpetrator… because local people are really afraid to tell the truth, that’s why we have yet to seek the truth in this murder case.”
Dr. Hkalam Samson also said that the authorities have not been fully participating in pursuing justice in the case.
The mother of Tangbau Hkawn Nan Tsin said that she feels upset that the case remains open.
“It’s already been five years. As a mother, I feel so upset because we cannot seek the truth. I want to urge all people to pray that we will have the truth one day,” she told KNG. “I want the government to work with KBC to seek the truth.”
San Lung, Maran Lu Ra’s sister, said that she wants to know who killed her sister.
“We have held memorial services for them without knowing the truth. We want to know the truth by the next memorial service. I want truth and justice for her. I want to request all people to help in seeking the truth,” San Lung told KNG.
According to KBC, a truth-seeking committee has been working to gather evidence and testimony in the murder. The committee has also encouraged witnesses to share what they know about the case.
