An assistant township agriculture officer who was abducted by an armed group in Mon State’s Ye Township has been released, according to sources close to government staff.

U Kyaw Thu, deputy staff officer and head of the Agriculture Department in Khaw Zar town, was seized on April 24 while traveling from Mudon to Ye. He was taken near the entrance to Hnit village along the Thanbyuzayat–Ye road.

He was found on the afternoon of April 27 near We Ka Mi village on the same road. A source said the captors returned his phone and wallet, blindfolded him, and transported him in a black double-cab vehicle before leaving him by the roadside. Authorities were alerted via his phone and retrieved him.

He is reported to be in good health and is currently undergoing questioning.

Sources added that U Kyaw Thu had been commuting due to security concerns in Ye Township and was traveling to attend a work meeting when the abduction occurred.

In a separate incident on April 17, three local administrative staff were also abducted by an armed group near Leinmawchan village on the Thanbyuzayat–Ye road and remain unaccounted for as of April 28.

Residents say multiple armed groups are active along the Thanbyuzayat–Ye section of the Union Highway No. 8.