Surge in administrator killings as PDF attacks intensify in central Myanmar
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Lynn/Thant Zin (NP News) - Nov 20
According to information received by The NP News, the number of administrators being killed has increased in the central regions of Myanmar, including Sagaing, Mandalay, and Magway, where numerous PDF terrorist groups are operating.
“In these regions, the killings are primarily carried out by the local PDF armed groups and these groups are carrying out the killings to demonstrate their power and authority in the aforementioned areas,” said U Thein Tun Oo, Executive Director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies.
“The legitimate government doesn’t matter. They are just trying to show that they are the ones who matter. They claim it’s a revolution, but their revolution is deeply linked to violence. If this continues, it will just escalate into a pattern of terrorism. This is how it is now. The goals they once spoke of have not been realized. In this situation, to demonstrate that they still hold power, they are targeting innocent civilians and village administrators,” he continued.
Furthermore, according to reports from the Myanmar police force, at least six village administrators and local civilians have been killed due to the attacks by PDF terrorists in Magway Region since November 1.
It has also been reported that in Mandalay Region, over a period of 10 days, at least three ward administrators and innocent civilians were killed, and there were others who sustained injuries.
Similarly, on November 12, it was reported that two ward administrators from Nyaung-U and Kyaukpadaung townships in Mandalay Region were killed by four PDF terrorist groups, with the confession being posted on their social media pages.
“The targeting and killings of ward administrators by PDF terrorists are seen as acts of retaliation, marking them as enemies because they serve the State Administration Council government. These acts of violence are being carried out as a result,” said U Hla Htay, the Chairman of the Yangon Region People's Party.
“If we look at the killings from our perspective, it’s due to a lack of security responsibility. The situation that has arisen is a result of inadequate security. There are various regions, and some areas are unable to provide full and proper security coverage. In those regions, both the government and those in charge must also be careful about their own safety. It’s about the way we live, whether we feel secure or not. If we don’t feel safe, then we have to think about how we can make things secure. Those in charge must also reflect on these matters,” he said.
According to the reports issued by the SAC government, since February 2021 up to the present time, over 800 administrators have been killed in acts of violence across the country.