A man who led free funeral services in Pyay Township, western Bago region, was arrested by junta forces at his father’s funeral procession on 21 October afternoon.

The arrest of Myo Nyein Zaw and his two friends was made at a township cemetery around 2:30 pm, said the witnesses.

“Myo Nyein Zaw has fled from junta regime for months after the coup. He is the deputy chairman of local free funeral services in Pyay Township. Soldiers raided their office in April, and its members have run away since then,” said a local, adding that the arrest should not have been made at the funeral of his father.

The reason for the arrests is unknown.

A male member and female nurse from their organization were arrested in April.

After raiding the office of the free funeral services, soldiers took away more than 19 vehicles, emergency equipment and medicines of the organization and the items were reportedly given to a civil society group backed by the junta in the township.