"I want to be remembered only as a comrade" - Marry Natar, who became a PDF member from a political prisoner

When asked how she wants to be remembered, Marry Natar, a member of the People's Defence Force (PDF) and a former political prisoner, simply replied, "Comrade." In an interview with Insight Myanmar, Marry Natar said that her participation in the revolution is not due to idealistic nationalism or personal ambition, but out of loyalty to those who have suffered, fought, been imprisoned, and lost their lives. She explained that after personally experiencing protests, arrests, imprisonment, survival in the jungle, airstrikes, and the arrest of almost all her family members, she feels a responsibility towards them and continues to carry out the revolution. Before the military coup, Marry Natar was a law student, living an ordinary life with her studies and some office work. To gain experience outside of school and to understand how non-governmental organizations operate, she also volunteered for these organizations. Marry Natar said that her parents raised her with the spirit of prioritizing the public interest over personal gain. "Be useful to the people. Don't just be for yourself," her parents taught her, she said. Marry Natar said that at the time of the 2021 military coup, she initially did not believe that the event would completely change her life. In her village, people were afraid of the military's retaliation, so she did not participate in the early street protests and only engaged in activities online. At that time, Marry Natar described herself as a "keyboard warrior" and admitted to having fears and uncertainties about the potential dangers of street protests. However, as the shootings and crackdowns intensified, she felt a responsibility to take to the streets and protest herself, she said. After the oppression by the Myanmar military junta intensified, Marry Natar attempted to join an ethnic armed organization. However, she was not accepted because she was not a member of that ethnic group, she said. She then learned online and studied how to make Molotov cocktails and small, low-explosive homemade bombs, and made them at home for her brother and friends. Marry Natar explained that this change should not be seen as increased ideological extremism, but rather as a response to practical difficulties. She continued to try, thinking, "If one door closes, you have to find another door." In June 2021, Marry Natar, along with her mother and four-year-old sister, was arrested by the Myanmar military junta. According to her statement, her younger sister was the youngest political prisoner in Myanmar at the time and was later released and lived with a neighbor. Marry Natar was sentenced to three years of hard labor and imprisonment. She said that prison is not only a place that restricts freedom but also a place that causes psychological trauma. She said that she continues to suffer from psychological trauma even after her release from prison. Marry Natar said that she contracted COVID-19 while in prison and was kept alone in a cold room for about 20 days without receiving adequate medical treatment. During that time, she had to survive by meditating, focusing on breathing in and breathing out. "All I knew was to breathe in, and breathe out," she said. Marry Natar said that she used this practice as a means of survival rather than a religious practice. The authorities also pressured her to reveal the whereabouts of her father, who had been involved in political activities even before the military coup. However, Marry Natar did not tell them. She explained that this refusal was not because she wanted to be a hero, but out of love and loyalty to her family. Marry Natar said that she was prepared to accept the consequences, even if it meant further imprisonment, in order to protect her family members. Finally, after serving about four months of her sentence, she signed a pledge not to participate in revolutionary activities again in order to be released early. However, today, Marry Natar continues the revolution as a member of the People's Defence Force (PDF), and there is only one word she wants to be remembered by. "Comrade." The full Insight Myanmar Podcast with Marry Natar can be listened to at the following link: https://insightmyanmar.org/complete-shows/2026/6/22/episode-559-comrades-in-arms