"Burned Alive, Organs Harvested"...The Horrific Deaths of Myanmar Anti-Junta Poets

Myanmar soldiers equipped with machine guns mounted on vehicles.
[Photo by Myanmar Now Capture]
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] The deaths of civilians engaged in anti-military activities in Myanmar are occurring one after another, causing international shock.

Today (16th), Myanmar Now reported that on the afternoon of the 14th, anti-military poet Sein Win (60) suffered a horrific death in Monywa, Sagaing region. Win was a long-time supporter of the National Democratic League (NDL), founded by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, and was known to have been active in politics since the 1998 democratization movement. He participated in anti-military street protests in Monywa, maintained close relationships with protest leaders, worked for charitable organizations, and published poetry in various magazines.

Win’s friend, Taing Aung, who witnessed his death, stated, "On the morning of the 14th, I was talking with Win at my house. Suddenly, someone came, poured gasoline over his head, and set him on fire." Win was immediately taken to Monywa Hospital but suffered severe burns all over his body and eventually died. The identity of the perpetrator has been revealed, but the motive remains unclear.

This is not the first brutal death of those involved in the anti-military movement. Earlier, on the 10th, a local Myanmar media outlet reported that on the 8th, anti-military poet Khet Thi, living in Sagaing region, was taken away by armed military police along with his wife. Khet Thi’s wife testified, "We were separated and interrogated individually after being taken by the military police," and added, "After receiving a call from the military side and arriving at the hospital, I found my husband in the morgue."

Khet Thi’s wife further stated, "All of my husband’s organs had been removed. The hospital claimed there was a problem with his heart, but since it was clearly fabricated, I did not look at the death certificate," and added, "I begged the soldiers to please return the body." Khet Thi’s family also claimed that there were signs of torture on the body, but the Myanmar military has not issued any separate explanation.

Myanmar protesters denouncing the military government ahead of the '100 days since the coup'.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As the horrific situation continues, the resistance of Myanmar citizens is intensifying. On the 16th of last month (local time), the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) announced the launch of the National Unity Government (NUG). They are making efforts to be recognized as the legitimate government by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and officially announced the organization of a civilian defense force to oppose the military regime.

Furthermore, citizens are requesting help from the international community via the internet. There is also a growing phenomenon of increased awareness of South Korea among Myanmar citizens, due to a shared emotional affinity stemming from experiences such as the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement in Korea.

On the 23rd of last month, a young person from Myanmar posted a photo on their Facebook holding an A4 paper written in Korean that said, "Thank you, Korea," along with a hashtag expressing gratitude for supporting Myanmar. Additionally, Wan Ihwa, a young singer from Myanmar, attracted attention by announcing the release of "Myanmar’s Spring," a tribute song to Myanmar, through the "Pulpi Project" to show support for Myanmar.