FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
NUG minister calls on public to reject junta’s elections
The National Unity Government Minister of Human Rights, U Aung Myo Min, stated that the junta’s planned 2023 election was illegal and called on all people to reject it. He made these comments at the 2nd plenary meeting of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ ASEAN Peoples Forum 2022 on Nov. 4.
Regime claims over 1,000 students enrolled in medical and dental schools
The junta’s Ministry of Health Department claimed that over 1,300 medical and dental school students have enrolled and will begin the first semester on Nov. 21. The Department of Human Resources for Health announced that students will attend Yangon’s University of Medicine, Mandalay’s University of Medicine, Magway’s University of Medicine, and Taunggyi’s University of Medicine.
Fortune teller released from prison
Hein Min Aung (aka fortune teller Lin Nyo Taryar) was released from Insein Prison on Nov. 4. “I am happy to be released from prison. I am also in good health,” he told RFA Burmese. He was arrested in February 2021 and convicted of violating Section 505 (A) of the Penal Code.
News by Region
MON—The number of drug users and dealers in Ye Township has increased dramatically since last year’s coup, according to social groups treating drug addiction. “I’ve been seeing teenagers using drugs in our village,” a local said. Police and the Burma Army are involved in drug trafficking and sales, locals told DVB.
KACHIN—Nine men were arrested at Robert Baptist Church IDP camp in Bhamo on Nov. 2, according to locals. Around 4,000 displaced people are staying at the camp. “They conducted a sudden midnight inspection and arrested those who are not on guest lists. There were a lot of Burma Army personnel with vehicles and trucks. I don’t know if the arrested people were detained and that makes me worry about people in the IDP camps,” a local told DVB.
KARENNI—The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) announced that it will open three gates on Loikaw-Mawchi Road on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. for 14 foot canter and 12 ton dump trucks. Others will still not be allowed to use the gate. The KNDF Central Committee and Karenni State Police (KSP) made this announcement on Nov. 4.
SHAN—Four students were injured by artillery at a bible school run by the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) in Kutkai on Nov. 3. It damaged a male dormitory of the KBC’s Kachin Theological College (KTC). “After we heard the sound of small arms, we heard artillery fired from a military base,” a resident told DVB. The injured were sent to a hospital. According to another local, three other artillery shells were fired.
RAKHINE—People living at IDP camps in Buthidaung were ordered to leave by the Burma Army. “If we do not return home, we will be recognized as squatters. The army is deployed in our village and clashes are breaking out. The lands are not cleared of landmines. No one has lived there for four years. We are not going back there,” a resident of Yan Aung Myay IDP camp told DVB. The Burma Army has banned humanitarian aid from reaching displaced people in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Minbya, Mrauk-U and Myebon townships since Sept. 16.
Five civilians were injured during an attack by the Burma Army against the Arakan Army (AA) in Kyauktaw Township on Nov. 4. “The exact casualties from both sides are still unknown. Troops from the military bases of the No. 9 Operation Command HQ and 373rd Light Infantry Battalion fired continuously this morning,” a local told DVB. Five people in Kyauktaw Township were injured by artillery.
YANGON—A total of 21 Peoples’ Defense Force (PDF) members were arrested during a crackdown Oct. 18-24 in Dala Township, junta media announced on Nov. 3. A PDF spokesperson said: “The event is true. But it is difficult to confirm for all arrests. Now, people with good strategy will be one step ahead. So, we need to be more careful as much as possible for our safety.” On Oct. 30, junta media stated that 10 members of Inya Urban Force were arrested and charged with the assassination of ex-Brigadier General Ohm Thwin and his son-in-law.
Two alleged Pyu Saw Htee militia members were killed and three others were injured in Twante Township on Nov. 5. “The dead are brothers – Thein Zaw and Thein Win. The injured three are not in good condition as well,” a local told DVB. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Two have been killed and four have been injured in attacks so far this month in Yangon.
