Civilian beaten to death at military checkpoint entering Falam town

AYEYARWADDY TIMES (FALAM) – July 13, Two local brothers were arrested at the 16-mile checkpoint on the Falam-Hakha road in Falam Township, Chin State, resulting in the death of the elder brother and the younger brother receiving treatment for severe injuries, according to local residents. The deceased was identified as Ko Kyaw Tun Aung, 37, from Sum Hran village in Falam Township, and his younger brother is receiving medical treatment for severe injuries at a temporary hospital in Falam town. The two brothers were arrested by members of the interim government's forces at the checkpoint on July 11, when they went to retrieve belongings from Hrain Nan village, where they had previously fled from fighting. "After the military took control of Falam town, they returned. They were arrested at the military checkpoint while going to retrieve their belongings from the village they had previously evacuated. The elder brother died during beatings and interrogations at the checkpoint," a Falam resident told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. Ko Kyaw Tun Aung was arrested after escorting his family members into Falam town and returning to collect the remaining belongings. He may have been beaten and interrogated at the checkpoint due to difficulties in speaking Burmese, the resident speculated. "Those who went before them had no issues. It is possible that the soldiers beat and interrogated them because they could not speak Burmese clearly. The body also had injuries from beatings and torture, to the point where the person was unrecognizable. The appearance was disfigured," a Falam resident told the Ayeyarwaddy Times. Since Falam town was recaptured by the interim government on April 25, 2026, checkpoints at the town's entrances and exits have been tightened, leading to frequent arrests and interrogations of local residents.