A municipal worker in Shan State’s Hsenwi Township has died after being brutally beaten while in the custody of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), also known as the Kokang Army. The incident has ignited widespread concern over extrajudicial killings and the use of torture by armed groups in the region.

The worker, a 50-year-old garbage truck driver and waste collector, was arrested on March 12 alongside a murder suspect following a violent robbery at the township’s old market. The previous night, a woman who sold dried fish at the market was robbed and fatally beaten. The primary suspect, a woman in her 40s who frequently assisted the victim, was detained by the MNDAA. The municipal worker, who lived in the market area, was also taken into custody but did not survive the interrogation.

“He was arrested as a suspect in the murder case, but he died during the interrogation. His body was buried today,” a local woman familiar with the case told SHAN.

The deceased had previously lived near Nawng Mo (Lotus Pond) in Hsenwi but was displaced by the MNDAA and forced to relocate to the market area. Residents claim he was tortured to death within a single day of his detention.

“He used to live near Nawng Mo, but the Kokang Army forced him to leave. After moving to the market, he was arrested, beaten, and killed in just one day,” the resident added.

SHAN has repeatedly attempted to contact MNDAA officials for comment on this incident and other recent violent events in Hsenwi Township but has received no response.

The death of the municipal worker is not an isolated incident. On March 13, just one day after the arrest, the village head of Mauk Sali village tract and his young grandson were shot dead by unknown armed men near Panghpeik village. Their vehicle had broken down along the Lashio-Hsenwi border when the attack occurred.

Adding to the growing unrest, residents have raised alarms over the MNDAA’s decision to allow gambling dens to operate continuously from the Chinese New Year until the Tabaung Festival in March. Locals say this has led to a surge in theft, robbery, and overall lawlessness, further destabilizing the region.

The death of the municipal worker has sparked outrage among residents, who are demanding accountability from the MNDAA. The incident highlights the urgent need for transparency and justice in a region where armed groups often operate with impunity.

As tensions rise, the international community is being urged to investigate these allegations of extrajudicial violence and human rights abuses. For now, the people of Hsenwi Township remain caught in a cycle of fear and uncertainty, with no end in sight to the violence plaguing their community.

SHAN will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.*