Tragedy Strikes in Mon State as Innocent Civilians Fall Victim to PDF death squad
Yangon 23 January 2024
In a tragic incident on the evening of January 22, 2024, at 7 pm, in Zwe Kalar Village, Bilin Division, Mon State, Myanmar, an unarmed civilian, U Nyan Htun, a local supporter of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), fell victim to a senseless act of violence. Two members of the People Defense Force (PDF), riding a motorcycle, ruthlessly shot U Nyan Htun on his way home by car. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The PDF, known as the People Defense Force, has been implicated in numerous violent incidents, with the latest attack adding to the growing toll of innocent lives lost. The victim, U Nyan Htun, was targeted for his affiliation with the USDP, the principal opposition party to the National League for Democracy (NLD), which controlled Myanmar from 2016 to 2021.
The perpetrators, allegedly members of PDF Battalion 7805, 4 Company, claimed responsibility for the killing, accusing U Nyan Htun of being a militia leader. This tragic event marks another chapter in the ongoing violence perpetrated by PDF members against USDP supporters, with more than 3000 innocent lives lost since 2021.
“The PDF terrorists continue their ruthless attacks on innocent civilians, showing a blatant disregard for human life,” says a local resident.
“The USDP condemns this heinous act and demands justice for U Nyan Htun and all the innocent lives lost to these acts of terror,” declares a spokesperson for the Union Solidarity and Development Party.
The relentless attacks by PDF terrorists on USDP members and supporters point to a concerning trend of political violence, further exacerbating the existing tensions in Myanmar. The NLD, during its five years in power, did not face similar attacks from USDP supporters.
As Myanmar grapples with political instability and violence, the targeted killings of USDP supporters underscore the urgent need for national reconciliation and efforts to curb extremism. The international community is called upon to condemn such acts of terrorism and support initiatives aimed at fostering peace and stability in the region.
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