When Soldiers Go Too Far: A Tale from Sagaing
The calm villages of Sagaing were rattled when a group of Myanmar soldiers rushed into Don Taw on the morning of December 7th. Local residents say the troops killed 11 people—some of whom may have been trying to escape the chaos—and set their bodies on fire right there on the field.
The Brutal Scene
- Soldiers came in the early hours and started taking people, both young and old, without clear reason.
- At about 11 am, the victims were finished off in a horrifying fashion—burned, and the ashes were scattered across their village.
- Video footage surfaced online, showing the charred remains, but no official source could confirm it.
Who Were the Victims?
Uncertainty looms over whether the victims were armed militias or ordinary civilians. A volunteer aid worker noted the soldiers might have fired indiscriminately, killing anyone they encountered.
- One account claims all were male, including a 14‑year‑old boy.
- Another says the victims were randomly captured and slaughtered on a nearby field.
The Human Cost
“I feel deep pain in my heart,” a relative of Htet Ko said after learning that the 22‑year‑old university student was killed. He was unarmed and, according to the family, tried to flee before being shot.
Dr. Sasa, a spokesperson for Myanmar’s shadow civilian government, described the scene as a “torture and a cremation”—a grim testament to the regime’s brutality.
The Wider Picture
Myanmar’s military, which toppled the democratically elected government in February, has been engaged in violent clashes with militia forces. Reports show:
- More than 10,700 civilians detained, and about 1,300 killed since the coup.
- About 3,000 residents from five villages fled, going underground for safety.
Meanwhile, the military’s spokesperson ignored inquiries, leaving the public in the dark. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says the military’s account is biased and overstates its casualties.
Humor Amid Chaos
Even the local squirrels are talking—although no one can confirm if they were too scared to leave their nest or simply annoyed at the new air-conditioning setup.
When the violence ends, the hope is that the voices of the victims will echo louder than the gunpowder, and that Myanmar can rise from its tumult into a more peaceful tomorrow.
