Two men were shot dead and another injured by unknown assailants in southern Shan State’s Mong Kung Township.

According to a local activist who wished to remain anonymous, the incident occurred on the evening of April 3, near Parng Kethu tract, 19 miles from Mong Kung. Two men died at the scene while the other was taken to a local hospital.

“The three victims were identified as Loong Teaja, Loong Sarng Su Lai and Sai Sarng Htun,” said the source. “Loong Teaja and Loong Sarng Su Lai died immediately. Sai Sarng Htun was wounded on his hands and taken to hospital.”

The source said no eye-witnesses had come forward nor clues established. However, he said, it was suspected that the victims were shot by a people’s militia group as an act of vengeance because Loong Teaja had been a soldier for the Wanparng People’s Militia No. 758, whose leader Maj. Sai Toi was assassinated in September last year.

The Wanparng People’s Militia has been active in Namsarng and Lai Kha townships. Before its former leader Col. Murngzuen surrendered to the Burmese military in 2005, the militia had been armed as Brigade 758 of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA).

However when Col. Murngzuen was killed in 2010, leadership passed to Maj. Sai Toi who soon after suffered a similar fate.

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)