Summary of News
- Two political prisoners died within one month in Daik-U Prison due to medical neglect
- PSLF/TNLA commemorates International Women’s Day 2024
- 88-Generation Student Leader U Min Ko Naing contributes to Karenni KNPLF/KPLArmy fundraising campaign
- Three junta bases surrender with white flags; KIA seizes seven more junta bases in Kachin State in a single day
- Zee Taw Village in Budalin township of Sagaing Region targeted in four arson attacks by military junta forces, resulting in the destruction of 117 houses
- Revolutionary allied forces ambush advancing military junta column in Myaing township, resulting in reported deaths of more than 30 junta troops
- Military junta deploys Muslim youths from Rakhine State to frontline battles
- Fighting has been intense in Laiza, Waingmaw, Bhamo, and Myitkyina; Civilians warned of airstrike risks
1. Two political prisoners died within one month in Daik-U Prison due to medical neglect
According to a statement from the Political Prisoners Network-Myanmar (PPNM), two political detainees passed away within a month in Daik-U Central Prison in southern Bago Region due to inadequate access to medical treatment. One of the deceased, U Khin Soe, aged 64, died on March 6 in Daik-U Central Prison after being denied medical attention despite falling ill for two months. An anonymous source within the prison informed PPNM, “He had been unwell for around two months. Despite repeatedly requesting outside medical care, the prison authorities consistently ignored his pleas. On the night of March 5th, his condition worsened significantly, and emergency aid was urgently requested, yet the prison authorities did not respond.” U Khin Soe was unjustly arrested on August 8 last year and was serving a 14-year sentence under charges including Section 505(a) and (j) of the Penal Code at the time of his death.
Earlier, on February 9, U Aye Win, aged 68, serving an 8-year sentence, including charges under Section 505 and 124 of the Penal Code in Daik-U Central Prison, also passed away due to inadequate access to medical care.
These two elderly political detainees died within a month due to insufficient access to medical assistance at Daik-U Central Prison.
According to PPNM, in 2024, within a span of three months, a total of seven political prisoners from Obo Prison (Mandalay Central Prison), Magway Central Prison, Kyaikmayaw Central Prison, and Daik-U Central Prison have died due to lack of access to adequate medical care.
2. PSLF/TNLA commemorates International Women’s Day 2024
The Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) celebrated International Women’s Day 2024 on March 8 in Namkham, according to an announcement from its news and information department. The event, held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., was led by the women’s team of the PSLF/TNLA with the goals of promoting awareness of women’s rights and combating violence against women.
PSLF/TNLA Vice Chair Major General Tar Jode Jarr, Women’s Committee Captain Yeka, and Namkham Township Police Chief Captain Noriur delivered speeches during the ceremony. Approximately 500 individuals, including PSLF/TNLA Vice Chair Major General Tar Jode Jarr, women leaders and members, officials from various PSLF departments, and Namkham township residents, reportedly participated in the event.
3. 88-Generation Student Leader U Min Ko Naing contributes to Karenni KNPLF/KPLArmy fundraising campaign
U Min Ko Naing, a prominent pro-democracy activist and student leader in the 1988 Student Movement, contributed a painting to the 100-million-kyat fundraising campaign initiated by the Karenni National People’s Liberation Front (KNPLF)/Karenni People’s Liberation Army (KPL.Army) on the inaugural day of the campaign.
This campaign aims to bolster their military operations, particularly extending into Naypyidaw. Yae Chan Sin (Singapore), a collective comprising members of the Myanmar community in Singapore actively involved in advocating for democracy during Myanmar’s Spring Revolution, purchased the painting for 10 million kyats to support the fundraising efforts. The campaign organisers are urging the public to contribute generously to help achieve the campaign’s target.
4. Three junta bases surrender with white flags; KIA seizes seven more junta bases in Kachin State in a single day
During the clashes in Kachin State on March 8, three military junta bases, including the 142nd Infantry Battalion, surrendered by raising white flags. Additionally, the revolutionary allied forces led by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seized four more bases, bringing the total captured to seven junta bases on that single day. The 142nd Infantry Battalion, stationed in Dawthponeyan along the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road, reportedly housed over 100 troops.
Operation 0307, initiated by the KIA and allied revolutionary forces on March 7, currently focuses on Momauk and Waingmaw (Waimaw) townships in Kachin State. The military junta primarily relied on aerial bombardments during the battles on March 7 and 8, unable to deploy infantry reinforcements.
Military observers anticipate that the fighting may escalate further on March 9 based on the developments of the preceding days.
5. Zee Taw Village in Budalin township of Sagaing Region targeted in four arson attacks by military junta forces, resulting in the destruction of 117 houses
Local sources report that on March 9, at 6:40 a.m., military junta forces carried out an arson attack in Zee Taw village, located in Budlin township, Sagaing Region. More than 80 junta troops entered Zee Taw village, firing guns and 40-mm artillery rounds, and subsequently set fire to houses before advancing to Hpan Khar Kyin village in Monywa township. A 30-year-old woman, unable to flee before the junta forces arrived, reportedly sustained injuries from gunfire, and over 20 houses were destroyed.
This marks the fourth occasion Zee Taw village has been subjected to the junta’s arson attacks, resulting in a total of 117 houses, out of approximately 200, being destroyed by the military junta forces.
6. Revolutionary allied forces ambush advancing military junta column in Myaing township, resulting in reported deaths of more than 30 junta troops
Around 9:30 a.m. on March 8, local revolutionary allied forces reportedly conducted an ambush on a military junta column consisting of approximately 40 individuals. The attack utilised a combination of drone airstrikes and large improvised mines, resulting in significant casualties among the junta forces. Only six of them reportedly escaped following the attack. The targeted military column reportedly comprised junta soldiers, members of the local Pyu Saw Htee militia, and police personnel from Kamma Town Police Station.
The operation was executed by various local defence groups based in Myaing township, Pauk township, and Kamma township. These included the Myaing township people’s team, which encompassed Galong Force, Sekkya Force, Wolf Guerrilla Force, Myaing Warriors, along with other local factions such as MRTF, Black Cobra, Young Force, Black Cheetah, Super Fighter, MRDF, Pauk township people’s defence team, Ayeyar West Group, Kento Group, PKU Thurain Group, DGM Force, Light Ray Guerrilla Force, Earthquake Defence Force, Kamma Defence Force (KMDF), and PDF Kamma.
7. Military junta deploys Muslim youths from Rakhine State to frontline battles
Local reports indicate that the military junta is coercing Muslim youths from various parts of Rakhine State into frontline battles after training and arming them. Since February, there have been reports of forced recruitment of Muslims in Rakhine State by the military junta. Western News, an independent local news outlet, has reported that Muslim men aged between 18 and 35 from Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Buthidaung, and Maungdaw townships have been forcibly recruited.
Despite denials by the junta through their official media channels, including newspapers and television, video footage has emerged on social media showing Muslim youths undergoing military training at the Regional Military Operation Command headquarters in Sittwe. The footage shows armed young Muslim recruits undergoing training,revealing what appears to be forcible recruitment by the junta. The military officer featured in the video is identified as Colonel Kyaw Thura, the Rakhine State Security and Border Affairs minister.
According to Western News, between February and March 9, at least 500 Muslim youths in Rakhine State have been forcibly conscripted into military service.
According to Western News, from February until March 9, at least 500 Muslim youths in Rakhine State have been forcibly conscripted into military service.
U Aung Kyaw Moe, Deputy Minister for Human Rights of the National Unity Government, stated to People’s Spring that the military junta’s action of coercing Muslim youths into frontline battles through military training constitutes a continuation of its genocide and war crimes against humanity. Both the Muslim community within the country and internationally have condemned the junta’s forced recruitment of innocent civilians and Muslims into military service as a war crime.
The Arakan Army (AA) has also urged the Muslim population in Rakhine State to reject the military junta’s call for military service and to resist it.
8. Fighting has been intense in Laiza, Waingmaw, Bhamo, and Myitkyina; Civilians warned of airstrike risks
On February 18, the Shwebo Arr Mann Urban Guerrilla Force reported a successful attack on the armoury belonging to the junta-backed Pyu Saw Htee militia in Pan Yan village, located in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region. The operation involved the dropping of 9 grenades using drones, directly hitting the centre of the armoury and causing significant destruction and burning.
This attack was reportedly prompted by civilian reports stating that Pyu Saw Htee leader Aung Kyaw and his associates from Pan Yan village were involved in the arrest and killing of civilians, as well as the abduction and theft of civilian belongings.
The operation was jointly conducted by the Shwebo Arr Mann Urban Guerrilla Force, Shwebo Crocodile, Shwebo Township People’s Security Team, and other local defence forces.
Revolutionary forces issued a caution to remain vigilant against potential airstrikes by the military junta amid intense fighting in Laiza, Waingmaw, Bhamo, and Myitkyina.
According to The Kachin Sub-State Media, an independent local media source, fighting has been going on between the military junta and the revolutionary alliance comprising the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Arakan Army (AA), and People’s Defence Force (PDF) in the vicinity of Laiza, Waingmaw township, Bhamo township, and Myitkyina township in Kachin State starting on the morning of March 7.
An official from the Kachin PDF, currently engaged in frontline combat, advised the public to exercise caution as the military junta, having lost several frontline bases, may resort to airstrikes targeting civilian areas.
As of this morning, March 9, fighting between the military junta and the allied forces of the KIA has reportedly entered its third consecutive day near Mt. Hkaya Bum and Mt. Bumre Bum. Residents in Waingmaw suggest temporarily suspending travel between Myitkyina and Bhamo due to the ongoing clashes.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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