Shan militia leader grabbed and beaten  His face unrecognizable

Shan militia leader grabbed and beaten 
His face unrecognizable, say sources

A Shan militia leader across from Chiangmai had been arrested, imprisoned and beaten until his face became unidentifiable, said sources who came from eastern Shan State. 

Sai Nyein, 35, militia leader of Nakawngmu, roughly halfway between BP-1 (Border Pass-1) and Mongton, together with his deputy, Kyaw Ong, 42, were arrested on 28 May on charges of collaboration with the Shan State Army of Yawdserk and taken to Mongton where he was tortured and beaten in order to extract a confession, they said. 

"His relatives were allowed to pay a visit last week and he couldn't be recognized," said one sources. "The Burmese (military) accused him of leaking information to the SSA during the Battle of Pakhee (22 April-3 May) resulting in the loss of men and material." 

Military authorities also arrested Htun Nay, 38, administrator of Maeken further north, Nandaw, 35, and Awriya, 30, on the same charges.

"The militia, 50-men strong, was also disarmed yesterday," added the source this morning. 

Local people were surprised. "Sai Nyein is only half-Shan. His father was a Burmese who had served with the Army. Being so, we doubt the SSA trusts him at all," said another source.