At least 40 civilians were killed as a result.
Myanmar military in mass killings
It has been revealed that the Myanmar military was involved in a series of mass killings of civilians in July.
Pro-democracy supporters protesting against military rule
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
![Troublemaker removed from a plane (image used for illustrative purpose) [Shutterstock]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20width%3D'100'%20height%3D'100'%20data-ring-placeholder%3D'1'%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E "Troublemaker removed from a plane (image used for illustrative purpose) [Shutterstock]")
Survivors and those who witnessed the bloodletting said that soldiers rounded up villagers before, the separated the 40 civilian men who they tortured, killed and then buried shallow graves.
The killings happened in Kani Township which is an opposition stronghold in Sagaing District in Central Myanmar.
According to reports, these killings were payback for attacks by militia groups demanding a return to democracy after a military coup in February.
ADVERTISEMENT
In recent times, the military has come up against civilians ever since the former seized control of the country by deposing the government of Aung San Suu Kyi, which was democratically elected.
Myanmar Witness, a UK-based NGO that investigates human rights abuses in the country, says the worst killings happened in Yin village, where at least 14 men were tortured, killed and then thrown into gullies in the forest.
"We couldn't stand to watch it so we kept our heads down, crying," said one woman, whose brother, nephew and brother-in-law were killed.
"We begged them not to do it. They didn't care. They asked the women, 'Are your husbands among them? If they are, do your last rites'."
A man who managed to escape the killings said that soldiers inflicted horrifying abuse on the men for hours before they died.
ADVERTISEMENT
"They were tied up, beaten with stones and rifle butts and tortured all day," the survivor said.
"Some soldiers looked young, maybe 17 or 18, but some were really old. There was also a woman with them."
As Myanmar Military’s human rights abuses mount, the middle ground between it and the civilians continues to shrink.
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: news@pulse.ug
Recommended articles
Balaam Barugahara regrets leading student strikes at Makerere
Mak Run 4th edition to raise funds for students with disabilities
Museveni brother Nzaire worried over “fewer Banyankore” joining UPDF, Police
Military service is a lifelong commitment, CDF tells retiring officers
Taxi driver fired for driving Bobi Wine pleads for help
Uganda Prisons speaks out on gang “rescue” of suspect from Prison bus
Dr. Rosemary Kusaba Byanyima appointed Mulago Hospital Executive Director
UCAA announces major fix for Entebbe Airport flooding