Press Release on a video clip which members of
Police Forces took during area clearance operation in Kotankauk Village,
Maungdaw
January 2, 2017
.
1. A video clip which posted on one of social media on the
evening of 31st December, 2016, included the images of allegedly beat villagers
by the members of Myanmar Police Force. It is entitled as “An accident in
Rakhine State” and was broadcasted by several media outlets.
.
2. As soon as the video file was found online, Myanmar
Police Force and Ministry of Home Affairs was contacted to take an
investigation regarding this video file.
.
3. According to the explanation of Myanmar Police Force, it
is learnt that the video file was made on one event when a combined team of
police force from No.2 Border Guard Post and No.36 Security Force conducted an
area clearance operation in Kotankauk Village on 5th November. It was
investigated that Constable Zaw Myo Htike took a video via his mobile phone
while 10 policemen led by Sub-Inspector Tay Zar Lin from No.36 Security Force
detained several villagers.
.
4. Reviewing the reason that they conducted clearance
operation in Kotankauk Village, it was occurred after six violent attackers on
three motor bikes ride along the Maungdaw-Alaitankyaw Road and shot in front of
the Norular Police Outpost while 11 policemen led by Police Inspector Kyaw
Myint of No.22 Security Force at about 5:50 pm on 3rd November, 2016. In the attack,
Police Lance Corporal Min Min Soe died after being shot four times _ one under
the right collarbone, one on the right arm, two on the right rib. Police Lance
Corporal Myo Zaw Ko was injured one on the right arm and one on left lower
abdomen. It is learnt that on 5th November the police conducted the area
clearance operation for a tip off regarding these violent attackers were
evading and sheltering in Kotankauk village, and to investigate and discover a
man who had distributed documents and placards enclosing fake information to
villagers while a team of foreign diplomats arrived in this village.
.
5. In the clearance operation, it was learnt that Nu
Arlaung, 22, Sauli Mullah, 35, and Mammud Nawbi, 32 who were allegedly involved
in the armed attack were arrested with six machetes, one knife and one spear.
The police force released all innocent and remained villagers urging to stay
peacefully in the village.
.
6. It is initially identified that the main responsible
persons are Police Superintendent Ye Tun Naing of No.2 Border Guard Police
Force, Sub-Inspector Te Zar Lin of the No. 36 Security Force, Constable Zaw Myo
Htike who made a video clip, and Constable Pyai Phyo Thwin who beat up
villagers.
.
7. It is released that further investigations are being
carried out to expose other police officers who beat villagers in the
operation, those who was initially identified, were detained and it is
continuously undertaking in order to take actions under the Police Disciplinary
Law.
.
(State Counsellor Office Information Committee)
Note: Myanmar state media may not know about the distance between Koe Tan Kouk and Nurula village tracts. Nurula village tract is in Maungdaw south about 5 to 5.5 miles distance from downtown. Koe Tan Kouk village tract is in Rathedaung Township, the end of Rathedaung to south, a big distance (about 26 mile) from Maungdaw and not less than 20 police out post existed along. Lying much can glare more crimes and more manipulation".
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