A man was killed during interrogation after Burma Army soldiers arrested him following a series of explosions near the municipal office in Kyaukme, northern Shan State.

On Tuesday, the day of the blasts, Sai Pee, 41, and his nephew were arrested as the two were travelling from Pon Woe village to Kyaukme.

During interrogation, they were tortured and beaten until they were unconscious, a female source from Kyaukme told SHAN, wishing to remain anonymous.

They were later taken to hospital, but only the nephew survived and remains in custody.

Sai Pee’s body was cremated on 30 March.

Soldiers often arrest people travelling to Kyaukme and demand a ransom from their families for their release, the woman said.

“I heard that some people had to pay $560 for this,” she said. If they suspect someone, they arrest them. But they also do it just to get money from their families.

In February, soldiers arrested a civilian displaced by fighting in Kyaukme’s ward 9, beat him to death and stole all his belongings.