The bodies of five civilians abducted by the military over a month ago were discovered in Indaw Township, Sagaing Region.
“Villagers found their bodies in Mawlu” on 25 April,” a local man told KNG, on condition of anonymity. About 70 soldiers arrested the male villagers of Mang Hel on 24 March and used them as human shields as the column moved through the township.
Ko Nyi Nyi (25), Ko Lao Shok (25), Ko Aung Min Theik (38), Ko Lay Lin Htut (38) and U Pho Sham (48) were discovered by locals in the jungle about four miles south of Mawlu.
“I think the soldiers burnt their bodies,” said the source. He explained that the army used them as human shields and they accompanied the column as it left Mawlu for Naber until they were killed and their bodies dumped between the two towns.
On 26 March, the military council’s mouthpiece, Telegram Channel, reported that the army had killed five members of the People’s Defence Forces in a clash near Mawlu and published a photograph of five skulls. According to local sources, there were no clashes between the groups near the town that day.
The military often arrests civilians in Indaw to use them as human shields. Locals report that at least 10 civilians were killed after the army arrested them in the township. This year, soldiers have also abducted people for the same purposes in Htigyaing, Katha and Bamauk townships in Sagaing Region and Hpakant Township in Kachin State.
