Police Sub-inspector intentionally killed the driver of the truck which carried illegal charcoal sacks, said witnesses on October 9.

The story was that the Police Sub-inspector Aung Naing Tun and two policemen stopped a six-wheeled truck and found illegal charcoal sacks on it. The truck driver tried to escape and the Police Sub-inspector jumped on the truck while pointing his gun at Myo Win, the driver. A bullet was misfired from his gun and accidentally hit the driver, according to Bayakone Township police station.

Aung San Lin, who was one of the two that was in the truck at that time said, “We were headed to Ottara Thiri Township from Sar Kyin. When we arrived to Bo Yway junction, three policemen stopped our car and demanded money. We gave them Ks2,000 as usual. He wasn’t satisfied with the amount of money and asked for another Ks6,000. The driver said he cannot give anymore and so the Police Sub-inspector said we cannot go further. So Myo Win decided to turn back the truck. But the Sub-inspector tried to stop the truck and jumped on the truck. He then fired at the driver.”

After being shot, the truck moved for about 50 feet while blood streams down from the driver’s nose and mouth. It moved further for about 50 feet before stopping, said the witness.

The truck slowed down and stopped in a hole beside the road and Aung San Linn said he bolted away from the truck as he was frightened that he would also be killed.

Police Captain Tin Htay, head of Bayakone Township police station said, “They will testify as such. The two policemen that were together with the Police Sub-inspector also claimed that both the Sub-inspector and the driver grappled each other. We are preparing to take action against the Police Sub-inspector.”

Police Captain Tin Htay lodged a complaint against Police Sub-inspector Aung Naing Tun under Section 304 of the Penal Code at Bayakone Township police station.

Soe Naing, the elder brother of the deceased said, “His companion said that my brother turned his car a little and the Police Sub-inspector jumped on the truck by holding onto the wing mirror and fired at him. He rang me around at 7:30 pm and when I arrived at the scene, it was before 8 pm. He was already dead by the time I got there. More police arrived at that time and I told them that my brother’s death could not be a normal accident. They told me to provide proof for my claim and I can provide evidence of it as his two companions are not dead.”

Police Captain Tin Htay said, “Penal Code section may be changed depending on how the case developed. We are investigating whether he overused his authority or not.”