I have considered not including this but I changed my mind as it is informative and I wanted to share it. It is what pushed me to join CDM. It is filled with sorrow and painful moments. I decided to talk about it since the people need to know the truth among the lies of SAC trying to cover up. The events can be different from their narrative. But I was there myself and I will tell you everything I know.
The last place I was positioned in before I join CDM was the No.21 Headquarters of Operations Command. It is located in Bhamo, Kachin. It was the most pleasant place I had stayed in. The city seems small but you can get everything you need as it has a trading connection with China. Also, it was easy for transportation as the base was located in the city, unlike other ones which are situated outside.
I was assigned to it in the middle of February 2018. During my stay, I worked both in the tactic and headquarters as well as following the tactical commander to the frontline. I lived alongside colonel Myint Hein and Colonel Tin Min. The regiment commanders were Brigadier General Ni Linn Aung and Thet Aung Zin who came after.
I worked at SaKaKha 21 for around three years. The event I am going to tell you about happened during the protests after the military coup. I was attending a class at Pyin Oo Lwin while the coup took place. I was worried when all the telephone lines were cut off that day. It was more of worrying about the future than accepting the coup or not. In the evening, our teacher came into the hall and said, “I guess some of you may already know what happened and some are still wondering. What we can be sure of is that the military did the right thing. They requested multiple times to resolve the election fraud but they didn’t respond. That’s why the military took control of important sectors and detained crucial people. All of you are restricted from going out because of the current situation. You are not allowed to go out. If we caught you sneaking out, you will face dire consequences.” Some of the attendees were satisfied with what he said but some were pondering deeply about something. I wasn’t sure what I felt but I knew things were going to be complicated. We didn’t experience much during our class but when we got back to our stations, we were involved in the coup much deeper.
I got back to my base on March 15th even though my class ended on Match 1st. We weren’t dismissed as we used to and instead we had to give our base address to them. They grouped us according to our regions. And we needed to go back with the convoy they prepared for us. The group leaders had to report at every stop. Our convoys were not allowed to move in the morning or evening and instead moved only after hours. The convoy didn’t stop till we reach the destination. It was very cold at night and our trucks didn’t have covers. We had to endure the cold wind. Moreover, the roads were very bumpy. We had to hold on tight not to fall let alone sleep. We went from Pyin Oo Lwin to Mandalay. Then we went to Monywa. We didn’t stop once. It usually takes one day from Pyin Oo Lwin to Bhamo directly but we took 15 days.
We saw the rage and resentment of the people along the way. In every city we passed, we saw protests, signs and barriers showing the people’s disapproval of the unjust coup. We had to use the bypass road since we couldn’t pass through Monywa as there were roadblocks. I was surprised to see those. Only then I realized how much the people hated the coup.
I was assigned to Bhamo General Hospital as security after I reported my arrival. The five soldiers given to me were from different divisions, one from communication, one is a medic and so on. I understood instantly how the military is suffering from their action. There were only a few incapables left since the rest are at the frontline. They added two from other battalions at the hospital. They gave me reinforcement, but there were only a few of us. I decide to run if something happened.
G1 called me on the morning of March 27th. “Prepare your group. I will send a car to pick you guys up.” He didn’t inform me what we will be going and will be doing. Anyway, I told my people to pack their things up. We finished quickly since we didn’t have many belongings. Then we went to him in the car he sent. “Mr Driver, where are we going? Did he tell you? What are we going to do?”, I asked. “I don’t know what your job will be, Bogyi. The G1 is at the district office. He only told me to bring you guys to him,” he replied. I didn’t ask further since we would know when we arrive.
It only takes a few minutes to travel from one place to another in Bhamo since the town isn’t that big. We arrived at the district office shortly. From the car, I saw the battalion commander from communication and the commander from medics lining up with their forces on the road. I told my people to line up after getting off from the car. Then, I report to the G1. “We and the police force will have to hold the protesting people. We will stay behind the police. Don’t do anything unnecessary. Control your people,” he instructed us. This is the job I hate most. I just wished there won’t be any casualties. The name of the G1 is Lieutenant Colonel Thiha Zaw. I rarely understand his words. He didn’t like us asking back. He always tried to intimidate his subordinates. I knew it won’t be easy to work with him that day. The district commander was my friend who moved to the civil side.
We went to Khun Thar where the protests were with three groups. There were more than ten cars. There were like a hundred of us. Our group went up from strand road to Khun Thar. There were hundreds of people protesting there and more were joining. The police were already positioned in front of the people. They were kneeling with shields ready for action. We were ordered to line up behind them. Not long after, the people chanted, “The military training Bogyoke gave was not to kill your people.” There were a lot of people I knew in Khun Thar who were like my family. So, I called whomever I can and told them to get out and take care. Because I knew the police and the soldiers were going to do something on that day. I didn’t want anyone to get hurt. I did whatever I can but it wasn’t easy.
The people moved forward shouting slogans. The police at the front got nervous watching the people moving forward. They were afraid of the hundreds of people in front of them. The district commander told one of the police to throw a smoke grenade at the people. Police lieutenant Zaw Zaw Aung threw the smoke grenade already in his pocket. The people run away from the smoke grenade, going into nearby houses. But then a few moments later, they regrouped. There were more of them now. They moved forward steadily roaring. One of the police shot the Winchester (YanPoneKhwin gun in common parlance). I was worried when I heard the gunshot. I knew instantly things were going to get out of hand. It was a rubber bullet but at close range, it is still lethal. The people moved away again when they heard the gunshot. But they regrouped just like before. They were more enraged since someone shot them. They were shooting us with slingshots and rocks, cursing. Both sides were shouting at each other getting tenser. The people were using just slingshots and rocks but the police fired back with guns and smoke grenades. They started with rubber bullets but I knew they would use real ones eventually. I was very worried looking at the situation. I texted and called my friends and acquaintances, warning them what might happen. I had to be cautious. If they found out about it, they will take action against me. It was very difficult for me during the chaos.
Things were getting serious. They were shooting smoke grenades and guns more frequently. We weren’t hurt since our body armour and helmets protected us from their projectiles. But the rubber bullets the police were shooting were much more dangerous. Even the soldiers joined in shooting with rubber bullets. We were given two YanPoneKhwin guns with rubber bullets. The protesters got hurt seriously since everyone with a gunshot at them. I told my people from the start, “Stayed behind me and followed my orders. Then, you won’t get hurt. Otherwise, if you guys did something I didn’t order, I will hit you. I won’t choose a place and time. So, tired to do exactly what I say.” I tried my best to avoid direct confrontation between my people and the protesters.
The G1 ordered me and my group to move to the road with three statues to block the road. We got in the car quickly and went there. We lined up and were ordered to capture anyone who moved out of line. I was wishing that the situation stopped peacefully and wanted no one to come to our side. We heard gunshots and shouting from there. I couldn’t call my friends since I was staying beside G1. But I tried texting them. I had to avoid the G1 from noticing what I was doing. It wasn’t easy. A few moments later, he instructed us, “Your team will spread in a line and moved forward to the protesting place.” We followed his directions and waited just a few meters away from the place.
Then, he came with a car and gives us lunch boxes. Then he moved forward to where the event was taking place. After he was gone, I opened my lunch box and check on my people while eating. They were tired and sweating from the hot sun as they wore armour and boots. Some of them looked annoyed. I could hold my people easily but I worried about the other forces. If they got angry and had no one to stop them, it would be dangerous for the protesters. I was resting after my lunch the G1 called me.
“Get your man in a line and joined on this side.” We moved just as he said and reported to him.
“Get your man ready. I will call you if something happens,” he told me. So, I prepared my men taking cover behind the walls. I saw a lot of rocks, sticks and food on the road.
I noticed the G1 was very annoyed at something. I could hear the anger in his voice. He seemed exhausted. Then I heard him call my friend, the district commander from the police force, and said, “What are you guys gonna do? Will you do real work? Do the right thing decisively. I have office works to do. Nothing is finished. If you can’t handle this, I will do it myself.” I knew trouble was coming. Then he called me and another leader and said, “Both of you and I will shoot. You guys shoot into the air. When you do, check if your aim is clear of houses. If not, don’t shoot. I will shoot whenever necessary. If we don’t do this, nothing will be done. The police can’t handle this.”
I was startled by his words. I tried everything to avoid this situation but it was inescapable.
“I am going to do the work I hate the most. But I will try not to hurt anyone. I can control myself,” I thought. “He even ordered us to be careful of houses. He won’t really shoot,” I told myself.
Then G1 said, “If you are ready, let’s go,” and went ahead with his gun loaded. He shot constantly, shouting, “Shoot ’em. Go.”
Two of us shot into the air as he said, trying to avoid people. We shot and ran into the Khun Thar neighbourhood. This time, the military went in instead of the police led by G1. The protesters ran back when the military went in. Everyone was in disarray, running and cursing. Inside the road, before the junction in the middle of the road, there was a bunker spanning the whole road, built with sandbags and rock bags. It was very huge. They took their time and built it very well. We told each other how well-built it was. When we arrived near it, he told us to destroy it. When we can’t destroy it easily, we were told to climb over it. We went over the bunker and went into the deeper part of the neighbourhood. I knew we were shooting into the air but G1 was not. He was aiming very well at the protestors with the intention of hurting them.
He shot at whomever he saw. He shot at the head if he saw a head. He shot at legs if he saw legs. If they were behind cars, he shot at them by lying prone on the ground, shooting at their legs. He exchanged his gun with the one the soldier beside him was carrying when he ran out of bullets or jammed. The soldier had to refill ammo for him and clear his gun when it was jammed. I prayed for the protestors watching him shoot.
We moved from the Khun Thar neighbourhood through strand road. There, we found another small bunker at the junction of a neighbourhood street and strand road. He was still shooting at everyone he saw. I saw his bullet hit house walls, fences and things on the road. The runners were on the sand since they were afraid of getting trapped. He shot at them. One of the runners swam across the river to the other side in fear. He still shot at him even though it was a futile attempt. He was raging like a bull and shooting everything that got into his sight.
A lot of the protestors were captured. Six were captured from under the Bayan tree near the market. All of them were brought to the police station. I asked around about them and heard heartbreaking news. They were interrogated and tortured. Some of them were hit beyond recognition. Then they blackmailed money from respective families. The family members had to pay a heavy sum of money. It was a very disgusting act.
To continue my story, we were resting on some part of the strand road after running. I cursed at a member of the police because he was shooting at a swimmer trying to escape to the other side. I know it is almost impossible to hit but there were motorboats at the river bank in his line of fire. I didn’t want an innocent person to get hurt. I disciplined him very loudly even though there were higher-ranking officers than me. G1 turned and looked at me because of my voice but I couldn’t care. I didn’t want to care because I was very tired and not very patient. No one blamed me. All of us were too exhausted. I want to mention how the police are. They didn’t dare to do anything on their own. But they are arrogant and reckless if the military is backing them. They sicken me.
All of the protestors were gone, hiding and escaping since they were shot. The district commanders and G1 were saying the situation was under control. They were lining up and inspecting their men.
I was surprised to hear their question, “Did anyone get hurt?” The one shooting with guns really asked that question.
I was very disappointed about everything. I inspected my men and reported to G1 that everything is in order.
“Ok. All of you will go through the town once more. We will go in cars. We need to remove the barriers and debris. Get on the cars,” we were ordered. So, we got onto our cars and started going. On the way, we stopped and clear the road. We drove around for quite a while and then got back to strand road. After clearing that side, we would go back and rest. I told my men to hurry up. I wanted to go back as quickly as I can.
Then, four of five people under the Bayan tree cured us. I got a bit frustrated. I prayed they went back home safely. My prayers were not answered. A few more people gathered with them. One of us shot into the air. They hid behind covers when they heard the gunshot. I thought that was the end. But one of the women was hiding behind the lamp post and swearing. G1 saw her and shot her, aiming carefully. I knew she wasn’t hit. But the women didn’t run. I was getting worried. G1 shot again and we didn’t hear her voice anymore. He ran toward her while shooting. One of our men started shooting at her continuously. I didn’t know which force he was from but I started hitting him.
“Who told you to shoot? Did anyone order you to shoot? Every one of us was shooting into the air. Who are you to shoot as you want?”, I asked, unable to control myself with anger.
He told me, “I think it was the district commander or another officer. He told me to shoot.” I got angrier.
“Are you a soldier or a police? If you want to be ordered by the police commander, join the police force. Are the police your dad? Be careful about whom you take orders from. Hey, look at me. If you are a leader, take responsibility for your subordinates. I warned you if you shoot because of their order, I will shoot you myself. Then I will shoot whoever ordered him,” I shouted at him angrily.
The police captains, the district commanders and other officers heard me but they didn’t say anything since they didn’t have a reason to stop me.
I walked up to where the woman was. There was a lot of blood and not just droplets. I followed the blood trail. I realized someone nearby carried her away. At the end of the blood trail, I saw a woman lying prostrate. From the bandages and methylated spirit near her, I knew the person who carried her tried to heal her. She was the one who was curing us from behind the lamppost. The bullet went through her chest. I ran to G1 and reported that.
“I found the victim in a nearby house. It is a woman. I think she is dead.”
He said, “Well, carry her here if she is dead,” in cold blood. I was shocked by his manner but said nothing and carried her with my men. The police took her away to Bhamo hospital.
It was pretty dark when we arrived back at our base. I told my friends about this event in pain. I knew that the whole thing was a mistake. I found out later that the dead person was a woman named Ma Shwe Myint. She left behind two children. She was a Palaung woman who sold clothes near the No.2 market. Three more people were shot on March 27. I knew this from my close friends. One of the CDM doctors tried to save them but they passed away on their way to Mandalay hospital because of a lack of medical supplies. I don’t know what they reported to the up. What I know for sure is they will lie in their reports.
After these events, I started to question my job. I never thought I would experience these. I abandoned the military and joined CDM after that. What happened on March 27 was a major factor to push me into joining CDM. My wife called me every day to tell me what was happening outside. I opened up about my feelings to friends who shared my views. But I didn’t discuss about joining CDM since I didn’t trust anyone. I had to prepare in advance since it was hard. But I told my trusted subordinates, “I don’t want to stay here anymore. Everything we are doing feels wrong. Soldiers are doing what they shouldn’t.”
“Yes, Bogyi. People like you don’t deserve these kinds of leaders. What do you want to do? We will help you,” they told me. I was surprised to hear their words but they encouraged me. But it wasn’t easy. There weren’t many opportunities since I had to fulfil my security duty for whole days. Also, the second regimental commander assigned me as his personal assistant. I had to follow him day and night. I had to stay beside him the whole night if there was a battle. But I wasn’t discouraged by the lack of opportunity. I prepared for a decisive opportunity.
During those time, there were more conflicts between me and my upper officers. Well, it was because they ordered me to do distasteful duties. I had many quarrels with G1. I couldn’t look at his face after what happened to Ma Shwe Myint. One night, I had a clash with him. He called me when I was eating after a shower, relieved from my post.
“Your team need to go to the Bhamo market immediately. We have info that they will try to burn it. Go there quickly and take positions. Report back to me when you are done.” I was starting to get upset. The Bhamo market is pretty large. I only have 10 people including me.
So, I told him, “It’s not possible with my men alone. I need reinforcement to cover the whole area.”
He cursed at me for saying that. I didn’t say anything back and went there nonchalantly. I look around the place and place my men in positions which I think were crucial. Then I reported to him that his orders had been carried out.
“Ok, watch out for anyone. I will send the police. If you see anyone passing there after 8 pm, just shoot. Don’t ask anything. Then put a Molotov in their hands and take a photo,” he told me. I argued with him as I couldn’t accept his orders. I knew I wanted to do the right thing regardless of what he said. I understood that every soldier has a responsibility to not follow an inhumane order. He threatened with a court martial. I was ready to face the consequences. I knew he don’t have the courage. I was not sure if he knew he was wrong or didn’t have anyone to replace me.
One day, I had the opportunity to leave the duties I hate and join the right side. I returned early from my security duty. Then, prepared my belongings and went back with the help of my subordinates. I came back through the main gate but sneaked back outside from a secret side door my subordinates showed me. Then, one of them outside came to pick up me with a motorcycle. Then the civilian who was like my family came and took me. The plan was great and I had help from both outside and inside.
I had many difficulties but there were people helping me. Most of them were regular civilians. I believed I had help because I chose the right side. I will make sure to pay my debt of gratitude back to them. I will take part in the revolution to avoid disappointing them. It wasn’t easy for a normal civilian to help a military deserter. It was very dangerous for them if someone found out. I was moved deeply by them helping me get to a safe place.
What do you think they do a week after I left the military? They tried to look for me since they saw me getting back in through the gate.
I laughed with my subordinate who called and told me about it. I realized how foolish they are. This is a true story that happened just before I left the military. I want to tell my wife and every single person who helped me choose the right side that I am very grateful for their act of kindness from here.
Yours respectfully,
Htet Myat