On May 14, 10 members of a local People’s Defense Team (PDT) in Sagaing Region’s Tamu Township went missing from their temporary outpost near the Indian border. Reports later emerged that they had been abducted, tortured and executed by the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force controlled by the Indian Army.
Indian authorities, however, claim they were killed in a clash after illegally crossing into Indian territory. Myanmar’s civilian National Unity Government (NUG) has asked India to investigate their deaths.
A resistance fighter in Tamu recently spoke to The Irrawaddy about the fate of the 10 PDT members.
What happened to the PDT members?
Assam Rifles (AR) troops inspected the Tamu District PDT outpost at around 11 am on May 13.
Officers from Tamu District PDT visited the outpost around four hours later. Displaced people then saw Assam Rifles troops abducting PDT members from their outpost at around 6.30 pm that day.
Around 7 or 8 am the next day, a PDT member arriving with supplies found the outpost abandoned and reported the news to higher-ups. PDT officials contacted the Assam officer-in-command about the missing PDT members and were told a clash had occurred. The Indian side handed over the bodies at 9.30 am on May 16, and cremations were held around 3 pm that day.
Indian authorities claim the PDT troops entered its territory, resulting in clashes. What do you say?
This is not true. If they had exchanged fire, our units nearby would have heard gunfire. Even if PDT members had entered Indian territory as claimed, they should have been arrested, not killed.
How close to the Indian border is the PDT outpost?
It lies within 10 miles [16 km] of the border, between Kamagyi and Htinzin villages, in Tamu Township. The PDT had only moved to the new location on May 12 after their previous location was exposed.
How were the bodies recovered? Is it true they bore signs of torture?
The AR transported the bodies by military truck to Khampat Cemetery, but only after they became infected with maggots. Two senior officers from Tamu District PDT and People’s Authority were held [at the Assam Rifles camp] while the bodies were transported, and only freed after the AR troops arrived back.
The Indian paramilitaries reportedly forced the PDT to sign a document.
Officials from the PDT and People’s Authority were told that in exchange for the bodies’ return, they had to sign a pledge not to oppose the Assam Rifles border construction near New Samtal village [in Manipur’s Chandel district].
What is your view on this?
I assume this was fabricated by the Assam Rifles. They deliberately killed them because they want to build a fence, and I view this action as sending a message that they can kill our comrades at the border anytime.
Do you think the civilian NUG can uncover the truth?
I hope it takes strong action and brings justice for the deceased fighters. Those killed were my comrades. I won’t accept it if the case is ignored for political reasons. Failing to respond to this incident would only encourage similar actions against us in the future.
The article appeared in the irrawaddy