Another Burmese scribe killed, three casualties in 30 days

Another Burmese scribe killed, three casualties in 30 days

Guwahati: One more Burmese journalist from Chin State in north-western Myanmar falls prey to extra-judicial killings of the security forces (Tatmadaw) recording the casualties of three journalists within 30 days. Chin journalist Pu Tui Dim died in the police firing at Matupi locality of the bordering State to India on 9 January 2022. Tui Dim (35) used to work for Khonumthung news agency that covers Chin State, Indo-Myanmar border issues. Myanmar (also known as Burma or Brahmadesh), which has been ruled by the Min Aung Hlaing-led military junta after deposing the democratically elected Aung San Suu Kyi-led government in Naypietaw on 1 February 2021, witnessed murders of two journalists last year. Freelance photojournalist Ko Soe Naing died under military custody on 14 December. Naing was arrested from Yangon while he was covering an anti-junta demonstration on 10 December. Later journalist Sai Win Aung (also known as A Sai Kay) died of head injuries caused by the Tatmadaw-operated shells at Maekheewar village in Karen State on 25 December.

Geneva-based global media safety and rights body, Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) has condemned the killing of Tui Dim by the Burmese military forces and demands a fair probe into the incidents that led to his death. Tui Dim becomes the third journalist to be killed this year after Amady John Wesley and Wilguens Louissaint (both from Haiti).

“We demand authentic probes and also justice as well as adequate compensations to the victim journalist families. The media workers must not be targeted by anyone anywhere in the world,” said Blaise Lempen, secretary-general of PEC (www. pressemblem.ch). He also urged the Burmese militaries to avoid extra-judicial killings and inhumane acts.