The Ministry of Education announced on May 11 that Daw Win Win Aung, a lecturer from Yangon University of Distance Education who was reported arrested by the Nahtogyi PDF, had prior contact with the Arakan Army (AA) and went to join them.
On May 8, Nahtogyi PDF (Group 4-10) of Myingyan District announced that they had arrested Daw Win Win Aung, a lecturer from the Zoology Department of Yangon University of Distance Education, in Meiktila Township and would continue necessary interrogations. In response to this announcement, the Ministry of Education issued the above statement.
According to investigations, Daw Win Win Aung, a lecturer from the Zoology Department of Yangon University of Distance Education under the Ministry of Education, was found to have been absent from duty without reason since May 7, 2025. Further inquiries revealed that she had arrived at Meiktila University on May 1 along with other tutors to provide intensive tutoring for students retaking the matriculation exam in earthquake-affected areas of Mandalay Region. She had been conducting classes at No. (2) Basic Education High School in Pyawbwe starting from May 2.
On the morning of May 7, around 5:45 AM, Daw Win Win Aung informed her team leader, Daw Mu Mu Aye, via phone that she was meeting friends before leaving Meiktila University for Pyawbwe. However, she failed to return by the usual class time without explanation. Authorities attempted to contact her but received no response. Later, around 9:30 PM, an email from [email protected] (an account used by terrorist groups) was sent to her son, Maung Ye Lin Myat Hein, stating: "Your Mon Condition is ok. After Little Checking, and will free."
Investigations into her disappearance revealed, through CCTV footage at Meiktila University, that Daw Win Win Aung left the university’s Gangaw dormitory at around 5:47 AM carrying a small bag with her personal belongings. She then had breakfast alone at a tea shop near the university before voluntarily boarding a gray Toyota Passo (license plate under verification) that arrived around 7 AM.
Daw Win Win Aung, an ethnic Rakhine born in Sittwe, Rakhine State, had studied there from kindergarten through her university degree. Before becoming a university tutor, she had served as a primary and middle school teacher in Sittwe.
Further investigations uncovered that prior to her disappearance, Daw Win Win Aung had prearranged contact with the AA insurgent group. On May 7, with the assistance of Salingyi PDF member Ko Zeya Min Htay, she traveled from Meiktila to Kyartet Village in Salingyi Township and then proceeded to meet Ko Zaw Aye Htun of the AA group. Her intention was to collaborate with AA-controlled areas on education-related activities.
The Ministry of Education stated that terrorist groups had connected with Daw Win Win Aung to spread misinformation, aiming to disrupt the education of students and teachers preparing for the matriculation exams amid earthquake recovery efforts and to intimidate educators through fear tactics.
