The Namkham Youth Network published a statement calling on the Ta’ang armed group to free Nang Mo Hom, who has been in custody for nearly a week.
Namkham youth have demanded the immediate release of a local woman who they say was abducted nearly a week ago by soldiers belonging to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
The Namkham Youth Network, which is comprised of 20 youth organizations, published a statement on Sunday calling on the Ta’ang army to release Nang Mo Hom from its custody after she was arrested on August 17 in a small shop that she runs. As Nang Mo Hom is an ethnic Shan woman, the group pointed to fears that the arrest could exacerbate interethnic tension in northern Shan State.
“Their actions are not acceptable,” said youth network spokesperson Sai Thein Shwe. “By detaining her for so long, the worry is that locals will rise up.”
Relatives of Nang Mo Hom said that she has been accused of breaking TNLA laws, but are unsure of which rules she allegedly violated. Some locals have speculated that the arrest could be related to a “tax” dispute, and said that over the last two years they had been required to make payments to the armed group. Last year, a TNLA soldier was reportedly shot dead by the Tatmadaw after collecting tax in the community.
SHAN tried repeatedly to call the TNLA offices, but at the time of reporting, there was no answer.
Locals have appealed to the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA)—a TNLA ally—to get the Ta’ang armed group to release Nang Mo Hom.
An SSPP/SSA officer confirmed to SHAN that the woman was in fact in TNLA custody and said that they had sent a letter calling for Nang Mo Hom to be let go.
“We have tried our best for her release,” he said.
Nang Mo Hom’s husband also echoed calls for her release.
“Our family doesn’t have any problem with any organization. We are so far from politics and war issues. We have kids in school. I would like to request the immediate release of my wife,” he told SHAN.
