A man was hospitalised after being shot twice by police in Rangoon’s South Dagon Township on Thursday evening.
Local police were dispatched to Aungtagon Street after reports that an intoxicated man was wielding knives and terrorising residents. The man, identified as 35-year-old Thet Khine Win, then lunged at police officers as they tried to restrain him, prompting them to fire warning shots. When he refused to heed warnings, an officer shot him in the lower torso, but he again attacked police officers and attempted to stab them, prompting a further shot to his leg.
Thet Khine Win was taken to Thingangyun Hospital. No one else was reported hurt in the incident.
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According to a police statement, the man had been on a six-month parole, starting from last month, for a previous offence of “Disturbing tranquillity and rule of law” in the neighbourhood. He is now facing charges for assaulting public servants, possession of deadly weapon and violating his parole.
Yesterday was not the first time police in Rangoon have faced down a knife-wielding suspect. In January, police launched an operation to apprehend two high-profile fugitives in Shwepyitha Township. One of the criminals threatened police officers with a blade; police opened fire, forcing the men to surrender.