“We haven’t received any news about him. We don’t know whether he’s still alive,” said the man’s wife.

A farmer that left his home to fertilize his paddy field in northern Shan State has been missing for ten days. Family and friends of the 42-year-old man are concerned about his abrupt disappearance in conflict-ridden Kyaukme township.

“We haven’t received any news about him. We don’t know whether he’s still alive. His parents are very upset,” said his wife Nang Nom.

Sai Aung Tun left the house at 7 am. When he didn’t return the following evening or answer his mobile, Nang Nom became concerned. She and her relatives went to look for him.

“He’s not involved with any of the armed groups (operating in the area). When he was the village headman (of Wan Sang) he had to deal with them as they often passed by our village,” Nang Nom told SHAN.

There are many armed groups fighting with each other in Kyaukme township.

“If he has been arrested by an armed group, I’m asking them to please contact his family,” Nang Nom said.