Police Officer Threatening Villagers at Gunpoint Held Pending Probe

By Zaw Zaw Htwe and Shoon Naing / The Myanmar Times | September 9, 2016

A police officer in Kachin State has been suspended and detained after video circulated online this week showing him threatening to shoot villagers in Hpakant township while pointing his gun at them, according to lawmaker U Tint Soe (NLD), who represents the township in the lower house.

He told The Myanmar Times yesterday that the officer’s behaviour, at a meeting to select local administrators, would be subject to an internal police investigation.

“Hpakant locals are the victims among many armed forces,” he said of the heavily militarised township, where the Kachin Independence Army also has a presence. “These forces should consider the local people. During the current civilian government period, the armed forces should only carry out their respective duties.”

U Soe Zaw Zaw later apologised to the villagers, who reportedly accepted the apology. U Tint Soe posted on his Facebook, however, that he was not satisfied with the officer’s contrition and would continue to push for legal action against him.

The lawyer U Robert Sann Aung said that U Soe Zaw Zaw’s conduct was unacceptable and that effective punishment should be meted out.

“Police are meant to protect the people. The police disciplinary body should take action against him. They cannot let him go,” he said.

In the video, the officer threatens the villagers, telling them that he has the authority to shoot them, after expressing anger at not being invited to the selection meeting.

U Robert Sann Aung said a criminal case could be brought on multiple charges given that the officer’s verbal threat to harm was coupled with his brandishing of a gun.

The lawyer said authorities should use the case to set an example that police will be held accountable.