An All Mon Regions Democracy Party (AMDP) woman member was reportedly assaulted by 10 Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) female supporters during an altercation at Kon Yeik Village marketplace in Chaungzone Township, Mon State.
The argument, on the morning of 13 January was reportedly fuelled by disputes over recent election results. Witnesses described a verbal argument between the AMDP member Mi Aye and a USDP member that escalated into an exchange of slaps, at which point nine other USDP supporters joined in the physical assault.
Nai Myint Swe, a member of the village administration committee said: “In the 2015 election, the AMDP representative won [a seat in the state parliamentary race]. But, when the election for the village administrator was held [on 8 January], the USDP won it. When the AMDP won, they celebrated their victory. Now, the USDP won the [local] election, so they also organized a victory event. The dispute began from that."
A criminal case has been filed with the township police and case details submitted to the State Hluttaw (parliament) Chairman and lawmakers, the township administration office, and township-level USDP office.
State Hluttaw Representative Dr. Aung Naing Oo said: “Now, [the USDP] filed a suit. Our side also filed a lawsuit demanding that they [USDP supporters] settle the problem for the victim,” he added that no arrests had been on the day of the assault.
After the incident the victim was taken to the local Chaungzone Hospital but she was later transferred to Moulmein Hospital in the state’s capital.
Courtesy BNI