Pan Pan

The National Unity Government (NUG) announced on 4 May that it will take punitive actions against certain members of the village-level People’s Defence Team (PDT) [commonly known as Pa Ka Pha in Burmese] who unlawfully arrested and killed seven individuals, including minors, in Chaung-U Township, Sagaing Region, according to a statement of the NUG.

PDT groups are military units under the direct command of the NUG. 

On 8 August, 2022, a group of seven individuals, including minors, were arrested by certain members of the village-level PDT, who accused them of being pro-junta informants. According to the statement, these individuals were then unlawfully killed on 30 August.

NUG said that the victims were an adult male, two juvenile males, an adult female, and three juvenile females.

Four members of the village-level PDT who committed the crime were immediately arrested and detained by the township-level PDT on 30 August, 2022. 

The NUG said that the act violates human rights, including women’s rights and child rights, so the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, the Ministry of Justice, and local PDTs will take legal action within the framework of the law, and they will inform the public and publish further actions.

A person living in Yangon said, “It's been a long time and nearly one year has already passed. I think that justice should be brought. If effective action is not taken, the people will have to live in fear.” 

The NUG has made an announcement that any individual who commits crimes will be prosecuted in accordance with existing laws to ensure proper law enforcement.