Soldiers from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) have allegedly detained and beat two men after being displaced by the conflict in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State.

The ethnic armed organisation (EAO) embroiled in a territorial dispute with another EAO for years, allegedly detained the men, who live in Huern Woe village, Mong Ngor sub-township, and released them on July 31.

A man helping residents of an internally displaced persons camp (IDP) in Mong Ngor town said that Loung Sai Swe, 54, arrived at the camp but the other person detained by the soldiers has not.

When fighting broke out between TNLA and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) near Huern Woe, the two men hid in a tea farm, the source said. “They returned to their home when their rice ran out, and that is when the TNLA detained them.”

“The TNLA soldiers tied their hands with a rope and rolled a wooden rod over their shins.”

They sent Loung Sai Swe to the hospital after arriving at the IDP camp because he had wounds all over his body. His hearing appears to have suffered damage. According to local sources, TNLA accused the men of working with RCSS.

When asked by SHAN, Col Mai Aik Kyaw, TNLA spokesperson, denied it. “Our troops didn’t arrest and beat anyone,” he said.

TNLA and Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) did, however, attack RCSS near Chon Thit village on July 27, causing residents to flee to Mong Ngor. An IDP told SHAN that TNLA soldiers entered Chon Thit and torched two homes, which Mai Aik Kyaw has also denied.

A woman said RCSS used to be based near the village until TNLA drove them out last month and stayed in the area.

On June 23, TNLA allegedly detained three villagers in Ner Kho Lian village, Namtu Township.