Police brutality case under investigation

by Phanida
Thursday, 15 October 2009 20:34

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The North Okkalapa Police station is investigating the death of Kyawt Maung, allegedly beaten to death by police earlier this month.

Police Station House Officer, Divisional Health Department Office Superintendent and No. 2 Ward Peace and Development Council (PDC) Chairman have, according to a family member, thus far questioned nine witnesses in the case, including the wife of the deceased.

Police private Pan Thee and former Ward PDC Chairman Win Cho are accused of beating Kyawt Maung (56), the Chairman of the self-reliance committee of No.2 ward, at Thumarlar Road junction on the 8th of October with his hands handcuffed. He subsequently died of a blood clot in the brain, prompting his family to register the case as a murder under section 302(a) of the Penal Code.

While the former Ward PDC Chairman has been arrested in connection with the investigation, the policeman remains at large.

An alms offering ceremony dedicated to the deceased was held this morning at his house, during with township policemen took photographs of the proceedings.

It is but the latest tragic run-in in with authorities for the family. Kyawt Maung’s son, Thet Oo Maung, took part in a Free Aung San Suu Kyi campaign and continues to be held in Insein prison despite the completion of his sentence today.

Thet Oo Maung was arrested on the 7th of this month, ostensibly for taking part in a brawl with 9th grade students from a high school in North Okkalapa Township.