The family of a young singer famous in the ethnic Shanni community say they haven’t received any new information since the Tatmadaw arrested him.

According to Sai Lon, his close friend Sai Wai Yan Aung was arrested for criticising the Sagaing Region Ethnic Affairs Minister on Facebook for his collaboration with Burma’s ruling State Administration Council.

”No one knows if he’s well or sick. Another problem is that the Pyu Saw Htee (a local militia supporting the military) claims Sai Wai Yan is a member of the Shanni Nationalities Army. This is why we’re worried about him. As far as I know, he’s a singer and a youth activist,” Sai Lon told SHAN.

Sai Wai Yan Aung, who’s from Kat Tha village, worked as a volunteer in Homalin Township and supported a Shanni party in the campaign for the 2020 general election.

Sai Lon suspects that his friend was detained in a Burma Army camp in Homalin.

On 1 October, the armed forces arrested Sai Wai Yan Aung, Phyo Thet Tin and Swam Htet at their homes.

Since the coup eight months ago, the authorities have arrested 12 people in the township, including several Buddhist monks.