Region Government Summons Meeting to Condemn Arrest of Township Administrator at Home

An armed group reportedly abducted a ward administrator in Kyaukpadaung Township, Mandalay Region, at around 7 PM on August 25.

U Maung San, the administrator of Bwetar Ward in Kyaukpadaung, was taken away by approximately three armed men on two motorcycles, according to reports.

"It's been said for a while that he collects conscription fees for the military. There have also been reports of him demanding money for various matters, from property issues to guest registration. As for who abducted him, we don't know yet," a local resident said.

Because the ward administrator was abducted early in the evening, the Mandalay Region government under the junta reportedly held a Zoom meeting this afternoon, during which senior officials from the township General Administration Department and committee members were berated and scolded by superiors, according to sources.

On the night of the abduction, police and soldiers came to inspect the residence and questioned the surrounding area, but received no concrete answers, which reportedly led to the superiors' angry outbursts.

Kyaukpadaung town is known to have a strong presence of junta forces, Pyu militia, police, and other military supporters, with permanent security checkpoints at the town's entrances, exits, and intersections.