Military Council commits four massacres killing 52 during March

“Sagaing Region, Tanintharyi Region”

 Narinjara News, March 17, 2023

Military Council troops committed four heinous massacres in Sagaing Region, Tanintharyi Region, and southern Shan State, resulting in the tragic loss of 52 lives, said U Aung Myo Min, Union Minister for Human Rights of the National Unity Government (NUG).

U Aung Myo Min released the information at the March 16th press conference regarding the massacre that took place in Namneng village located in Pinlaung Township, which is situated in southern Shan State.

“The perpetration of such massacres is a crime against humanity. In regions such as Tanintharyi, Karenni, Chin, Sagaing, and Magway, the deployment of numerous troops and military armaments, including tanks, to assault civilians is an unequivocal war crime”, the Minister emphasized.

On March 2nd, 17 villagers lost their lives in a horrific killing in Tartaing village, Myinmu Township, Sagaing Region.

The following day, on March 3rd, 6 villagers were killed in Kyeekan (south) village, Wetlet Township, Sagaing Region, while on March 4th, 6 more villagers were brutally murdered in Aukkyaukwut village, Launglon Township, Tanintharyi Region.

These atrocities are part of a pattern of massacres being perpetrated across the country by the Military Council, as highlighted by U Aung Myo Min. The recent killing of 22 people in Namneng village on March 11th, is another grim reminder of the escalating violence in Myanmar.

The Minister stated that multiple re-examinations were carried out in collaboration with field inspection teams, to confirm the occurrence of the massacres. These findings were then submitted to international organizations, who conducted additional verifications. He also confirmed plans to conduct face-to-face inquiries as a follow up. 

In recent weeks, the Military Council has intensified military operations in civilian areas across Karenni, Sagaing, Chin, and Magway Regions. This includes the deployment of additional weapons and troops, raising concerns for the safety and well-being of local populations.

In aditionally, the Military Council has also imposed martial law in many townships, with reports of severe human rights violations and extrajudicial killings by military personnel. NUG also warned that it is essential for the local public to remain vigilant in the face of these developments.

NUG defines any incident that involves the killing of at least five civilians as a massacre. 

Under the Military Council’s rule following the coup, a total of 64 massacres were committed across the country from July 2021 to March 2023. These incidents resulted in the deaths of 766 civilians, NUG’s Ministry of Human Rights announced on March 15th.