Three men, including a junta-appointed village administrator, were abducted by an unknown armed group on the morning of 5 February 2023 near Htin Mal Village, in Tanintharyi Region’s Bokepyin Township.

The abducted men were named as U Maung Maung, 60, the Chaung Kaphae Village administrator, Thaung Nyut, 50, a former Pyu Saw Htee militia member, and another man whose identity is unknown.

According to locals, U Maung Maung was previously the chief of the Pyi Gyi Ma Naing Police Station in Bokepyin Township and Thaung Nyut was a former member of the Pyu Saw Htee militia living in Taung Ngal Village.

They said that all three men were known as junta informants.

"Three people were taken by unknown gunmen. We know that two of them were released later that evening. However, the village administrator remains in custody. I have no idea why they were arrested”, said a resident of Pyi Gyi Ma Naing Village.

According to local news sources, the abduction was carried out by an unidentified armed organisation. At the time of writing junta troops are currently conducting a comprehensive search of Htin Mal Village and the surrounding area.