Myanmar Military Detains University Students Facing 'Blindness Risk' and Sends Them to Prison Instead of Hospital

Liang Pyo Aung (22), a student at Magway University of Technology in central Myanmar, participated in an anti-military protest in Magway on March 27. During the military and police crackdown, he was injured in the eye and faced the risk of blindness. However, he was detained in a detention center without receiving medical treatment, local media reported on the 12th (local time).
[Photo by Irrawaddy]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] A university student who participated in protests against the Myanmar military coup and suffered an eye injury, facing the risk of blindness, has been detained in a detention center without receiving treatment, local media reported on the 12th (local time).

According to the report, Lyang Pyo Aung (22), a student at Magwe University of Technology in central Myanmar, participated in an anti-military protest in Magwe on March 27 and was severely injured during the military and police crackdown, losing his right hand and being hit by multiple rubber bullets in his legs.

Aung, who is at risk of losing vision due to the injury to his right eye, was captured by the military and police at the protest site. After being taken to a military hospital, he was immediately charged with incitement, and after not receiving proper treatment at the hospital, he was eventually transferred to Magwe detention center on the 7th.

In response, Aung’s older brother said, "Despite the urgent need for surgery at an ophthalmology hospital in Yangon due to pus coming from his eye, they sent my brother to prison." He strongly criticized the military, saying, "Not only did they cripple my brother, but they also prosecuted him, which is an inhumane act."

According to local human rights organizations, at least 15 mentally and physically disabled individuals have been detained since the military coup.