Hsipaw civilian killed by unknown assailants
A community leader in
northern Shan State’s Hsipaw Township was shot dead by an unknown gunman or
group on Sunday, according to local source.
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Sai Sarng Pe dead body at the scene on February 26
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Sai Kyaw Sein, the headman
of Nam Ma tract, told Shan Herald
that the village headman, Sai Sarng Pe, aged 57, was killed on February 26 at
about 4:30pm near his farm in Nar Koon, Nam Ma tract, Hsipaw Township. He said
that the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Sai Sarng Pe is the leading
member of the community in Nam Ma tract,” he said. “No one knows who shot him
and who is behind the murder.”
He said that he was shot at
close range, a matter deduced by the fact that his body was beside his car which
was not hit by any bullets.
“The gunman was clearly
experienced with weapons because the shots were to vital areas such as his
forehead and his stomach,” he said.
“We want this case to bring to
justice because Sai Sarng Pe was a respected person. He has been one of the
community leaders for more 30 years. We want to know the truth about what
happened.
“In any case, whether this
was related to drugs or logging, the matter should have been taken to court,
not resolved in this [violent] way,” he added. “If assassinations are allowed
to occur, then no one will want to be village headman. They will be too
afraid.”
He said they have reported the
matter to the local authorities but have not heard about any progress.
This type of murder is happening
in Shan State regularly, according to Sai Hor Hseng, the spokesperson of the Shan Human Rights
Foundation (SHRF), an active non-profit organization monitoring, investigating
and reporting human rights violations and abuses in the region. He said that
this is because there is no rule of law in Burma.
“The law cannot be
enforced across the country, especially in remote areas, because there is no
rule of law and the government also does not have the power to do it.
“When local people are faced
with problems like this they do not know who to ask for help,” he explained. “Even
though they are the leaders in the community they are frightened. They are
afraid to become headman because they do not want to deal with the problems.”
He added: “Our people
have been oppressed for so many years. The government must somehow step in and
protect its citizens.”
By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Tags: General, News
