By HSENG LENG / SHAN

Three unidentified men abducted a woman in downtown Muse on northern Shan State’s border with China on Sunday morning and released her after a ransom was paid that same day.

The woman worked in currency exchange, according to local sources, who also alleged that her husband is a known member of a People’s Militia Force active in the area.

It remains unknown if her kidnapping was connected to his position.

The men who abducted her drove a Toyota Crown, spoke Chinese, and forced her to go with them at 9:00 a.m. on December 6, according to eyewitnesses. They demanded money for her release. She was freed that evening, after the abductors received 50,000 yuan (US$7,646) via transfer.

SHAN called the Muse Myoma police station for comment, but no one had responded at the time of reporting.  

Abductions and robberies are not uncommon in Muse, with the perpetrators rarely apprehended and arrested. The men who carried out the kidnapping remain at large.