Residents reported that the army has not released more than 20 employees who were detained from two gas stations in Zin Yaw in Phoe Chit Kone Ward, Mogaung Township, Kachin State. In addition, one of the gas stations was demolished with a backhoe.
Military Council troops have alleged that U Moe Kyaw and Daw Khin Mar Shwe, owners of Zin Yaw gas stations, have connections with the defense forces. On the night of September 2, they raided two Zin Yaw gas stations along the Myitkyina-Mogaung-Hpakant road and his residence, resulting in the arrest of more than 20 employees.
Then on September 3, a local source told KNG that the military used a backhoe to dismantle one of two gas stations located along the Mogaung-Hpakant road.
“They have two petrol stations – one along the road from Mogaung to Myitkyina and one on the road from Mogaung to Hpakant. The one that has been completely destroyed is the one on the road to Hpakant – there is nothing left,” reported a resident of Mogaung. .
U Moe Kyaw’s family managed to escape when the military arrived to arrest them. However, an elderly female guest who was present at the residence was also arrested, he added.
“The hosts fled early on receiving news of the situation. Among those present was an elderly lady who stayed behind. The soldiers interrogated her at gunpoint and knocked her unconscious. They also arrested the elderly woman. They also arrested more than 20 employees, including a minor girl,” added a local resident of Mogaung.
Among the individuals who were arrested, the minor worker was released on the evening of September 2. However, the rest of the employees, including the elderly female guest, have not been released so far.
The arrested individuals have reportedly not been released, and the gas station was demolished on September 3.
Following the shooting incident in which a military vehicle was transporting school students in Mogaung Township on August 19, the Military Council troops have stepped up security measures both inside and outside the town. In addition, they are making continuous arrests of civilians.
“The number of people arrested is constantly increasing and some families are also fleeing Mogaung. The situation in Mogaung is dire as even pedestrians are at risk of being arrested,” expressed a woman from Mogaung.
Local residents have reported that there could be at least 100 civilians who were arrested between August 19 and September 2. However, obtaining an exact list of those arrested remains difficult.
According to residents, increased security measures implemented by Military Council troops both inside and outside the city, along with rigorous inspections, have led to a reduction in the number of people venturing out at night in the Mogaung municipality.
