A family in a village of Sittwe Township, Arakan State, has been facing troubles recently after a daughter, a university student, was insulted by a junior officer of the Burmese army, reported a student from the village on condition of anonymity.

The anonymous source told Narinjara over the phone yesterday that Ma Than Than Myint, from Narikan Village in Sittwe Township, was insulted by the Lieutenant Zaw Min while she was celebrating with her family and friends at home on the night of the last full moon.

Lieutenant Zaw Min, along with a batsman from the Regional Control Command headquarters located near the village, entered Ma Than Than Myint's family compound during the party and propositioned her for sex. Ma Than Than Myint replied angrily that she is not a prostitute, and the lieutenant should ask such a thing of his sister.

Zaw Min then reportedly told the woman that he knew the "village's women are working in prostitution" and he would have to pay money to her.

When Ma Than Than Myint's elder brother Tun Lin heard how Zaw Min was speaking to his sister, he approached the lieutenant and asked him not to speak to his sister in such a manner.

Afterwards, Zaw Min assaulted and arrested Tun Lin, accusing him of disturbing him in his duty. Zaw Min also forced a USDA chairman in the village to sign as a witness that Tun Lin had disturbed his official duty, and later brought Tun Lin to the nearby army headquarters.

Moreover, Lieutenant Zaw Min ordered the village chairman to sue Ma Than Than Myint's parents, U Tin Tun and Daw Tha Nu, for impeding his military duty.

A village elder said Tun Lin is being detained at the army camp and tortured by army men, even though it has been more than 24 hours since his arrest. According to Burmese law, the army authority can arrest anybody for disturbing the duty of a soldier, but they must transfer the arrestee to the police so they can take action in accordance with the law.

Tun Lin was arrested a week ago but has yet to be released or transferred to the police, and family members are anxious about his health and safety.

Ko Tun Lin is a third year student in philosophy, while Ma Than Than Myint is in her first year studying English at Rangoon University. #

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