Security forces work together to investigate the case of two Indians killed in Tamu: SAC spokesperson

Security forces work together to investigate the case of two Indians killed in Tamu: SAC spokesperson
View of the Tamu-Moreh border checkpoint on the Myanmar-India border, which opened in 2019. (Photo-Ko Su Than)
View of the Tamu-Moreh border checkpoint on the Myanmar-India border, which opened in 2019. (Photo-Ko Su Than)
Published 8 July 2022
EMG

Security forces of the two countries are investigating the case of two Indian nationals killed in Tamu on the India-Myanmar border, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the State Administration Council (SAC).

Locals reported two men were shot dead in Tamu on July 5 at around 12:30 pm and Officials from the township police station and security forces found two men dead with gunshot wounds in their heads, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

"There are allegations. As usual, it was as if the army fired and killed them. The accusations made to destroy the friendship between the two countries. However, the two armies have contact. Everyone knows that. As we all know, the problems are solved. India is also in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Security forces are also making inquiries. All are being maintained. An official investigation is underway into the killings. Detailed investigations are underway,” said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

On July 6, an official from the Moreh Border Trade Association in Manipur, India, said by telephone that the dead were residents of Moreh. They had entered Myanmar through the Myanmar-India border crossing on July 5, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun said, “On July 5, terrorist group called PDF stormed and destroyed the Office of the Road Transportation Administration Department in Tamu Township. There have been shootings with security forces. That was what happened at the Office of the Road Transportation Administration Department. At around 3 pm on July 6, about 50 people protested on the Indian side. A tea shop in Tamu was pelted with stones in connection with the deaths. However, officials from the Moreh Border Trade Association and security forces from the two countries have been able to resolve this issue and the protesters have been able to disperse peacefully."

After the incident, security forces in Moreh, India, informed Myanmar, and Myanmar informed the security forces in Moreh, and the situation was resolved by the two sides, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

As Tamu is a border town, there have been killings in the past as well as illegal armed groups. Recently, with the emergence of PDF groups, there are about three PDF battalions in Tamu such as Tamu Urban guerrilla group and Tamu PDF group, according to Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

"We have had reports that some businessmen in Tamu are supporting terrorist PDF groups. There were some people we arrested and interrogated. There have also been incident of Tamu prison being raided by a so-called PDF battalion in Tamu about a month ago and weapons were taken by them. In addition, there have been cases where some people have been killed because of their economic grievances. There are such cases. We believe that the PDF groups in Tamu are the culprits. We are working on that,” said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

The two countries have agreed not to settle the groups opposing India in Myanmar and the groups opposing Myanmar in India and they are working to arrest the killers of two Indians in Tamu, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.