U Gandhama, a leader of the Union of Shanni Sanghas, was killed after being arrested by the KIA and PDF on September 4 in Naung Pa Village, Bamauk Township, Katha District in Sagaing Region, according to locals.

According to locals, KIA and PDF members came to stay at Naungpat Monastery on August 31, 2022. On the evening of September 4, the KIA and PDF members arrived when U Gandhama made the novices to gather in the monastery and they said their leader had asked them to call the monk and took away the monk. They also asked a set of clothes from a home in the village. The KIA and PDF column retreated to Nansa village and the villagers heard a gunshot. When the villagers did not find U Gandhama, who was arrested by the KIA and PDF staying in Nansa village, they informed the Presiding Sayadaw of Nungpa village. The villagers said when they found a soil dump near the road leading to Nansa village, the villagers excavated it and found the body of U Gandhama on September 6.

Locals said, “The monk was arrested by the KIA and PDF based in Moulin Village, Pinlebu Township. We are sure that the monk was killed because the monk's laymen have personally excavated it. I don't know why he was killed. Most assumed that the monk teaches Shanni literature and history. The KIA and PDF groups have taken over Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) frontline camps since mid-August. There are many casualties. We saw a lot of patients. While holding a grudge against the SNA, we believed that they assassinated the monk who was teaching the SNA. It is known that his school is in Sinbo area in Myitkyina Township. It's a pity that he has such a foresight.”

It is reported that U Gandhama is also the secretary in charge of the fundraising team of the Union of Shanni Sanghas of Myanmar.

On his social networking page, U Gandhama wrote he does not accept the political change of 2021 and told to improve literature, culture and national morale of Shanni ethnic groups.

In Bamauk Township, fierce fighting between the KIA and PDF joint forces and the SNA took place since mid-August last year.

There were many casualties from both sides. Literary and cultural group leaders and monks from nearby village, where the battle took place, were arrested and released on August 24.