Govt admin head demands money to release detainee in Matupi
04 March 2014: Kyaw Min Htwe, Matupi Township General Administration Head, demanded a ransom of 300,000 Kyats and promised that in return he would release Ni Uk, a villager of Cawngthia, who has been kept in police custody since early last month.
Uk’s relatives told the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) that Htwe said he had the power to free him but added that he needed the money to deal with the case.
“He said Ni Uk can be released within 24 hours once the payment is made, and he cannot be released without money. So, we managed to get the amount, went to his [Htwe] house around 8pm and gave it to him,” added the relatives.
Htwe threatened them during their conversation that anyone opposing his power and order would be put in jail according to the laws, they added.
“That was the main reason why we had to make sure the money was ready so that Uk could be freed. But he [Htwe] has not done anything to free our brother.”
When asked about the matter later, Htwe just said that he would try his best to tell the court not to give him a prison sentence.
Uk is still detained in the Matupi Police Station after being charged with disobeying the instructions given by the Village General Administration Head of Cawngthia in relation to rural management matters.
The relatives of Ni Uk are preparing to lodge an official complaint by letter to the Chief Minister of the government of Chin State to take necessary action against Kyaw Min Htwe.
Chinland Guardian is not able to reach Kyaw Min Htwe or the Matupi Township General Administration Office for comment.#