YANGON, 4 June 2010—A press conference on arrest of suspects who commited murder and robbery in Dayallu Village of Kungyangon Township of Yangon Division and on seizure of unlicensed vehicle, arms and ammunition in Shwegyin of Bago Division was held at the office of the Chief of Myanmar Police Force of Ministry of Home Affairs at the corner of Saya San Road and Sethmu (1) Road in Bahan Township here at 1 pm today.

Present at the conference were MPF Chief Brig-Gen Khin Yi, officials from MPF, departmental officials, members of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club and local journalists and guests.

The MPF Chief elaborated on arrest of robbery suspects who commited murder-cumrobbery in Dayallu Village of Kungyangon Township

in Yangon Division on 16 May 2010 and on capture of unlicensed vehicle with arms and ammunitions in Shwegyin of Bago Division on 6 May 2010.

The following is a translation of the clarification made by Chief of the Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi in connection with the arrest of the culprits, who killed people and robbed a house in Dayallu Village, Kungyangon Township, on 16 May 2010, and the seizure of a vehicle without license and small arms and rounds of ammunition in Shwegyin, Bago Division, on 6 May 2010.

Journalists and distinguished guests,

I will present the arrest of the offenders regarding the armed robbery in Dayallu Village, Kungyangon Township, Yangon Division, at 9.35 pm on 16 May 2010 in which two people were killed and 12 were injured, and 1,300,000 kyats worth banknotes and one gold ring with a total face value of about 1,400,000 kyats were robbed. As you know, some media are issuing the news wrongly. That's why I am explaining the case.

Our security members managed to arrest the offenders in cooperation with local people. In this regard, I will give a brief account step by step.

Just as the robbery took place, duty-conscious persons of Dayallu Village informed Letkhokkon Police Station and Kungyangon Police Station by public phone. As soon as informed, the head and members of Letkhokkon Police Station and the police captain and members of Kungyangon Police Station rushed by motorbike and by car to the scene. Local security members reinforced us. Dayallu Village is about nine miles from Letkhokkon, and about 14 miles from Kungyangon. We could not surround the armed robbers.

The Commander of Yangon Division Police Force provided close supervision, and asked the deputy Commander of the division police force to set up a base in the place where the incident had occurred. And they exposed the case in cooperation with members of district/township/ police stations in Yangon Division and related state and division police stations, congenial forces, and local people. The team led by the deputy Commander of the division police force formed special investigation groups, using all possible ways, and they tried day and night to expose the case.

At the initial investigation, we found out two 7.62mm x 39mm dud bullets the robbers had shot, seventeen 39mm shells, one M-67 hand grenade fuse, four pieces of hand grenade shrapnel, one green jungle hat, and a pair of man's wear slippers. According to the investigation made by experts of Criminal Investigation Department, 7.62mm x 39mm round can be fired with AK -47 rifle; the dud bullet and nine shells were shot with a single gun, and another dud bullet and eight shells were shot with another gun; and the hand grenade was M -67 Brand. The experts deduced that the robbers used at least two AK- 47 rifles and one M -67 hand grenade; the robbers had experience in robbery; they were wearing green uniforms in an untidy way; they might be impostors; and they might comprise at least five members. Based on the findings, we managed to expose the case with the statements of eyewitnesses and participation of local people.

While making investigation into the case, we exposed some from among the locals who might give inside information to the offenders or who might get involved in similar cases. We summoned two suspects for questioning: Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan of Kanhlyashei Village and Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone of Wetkaik Village in Kungyangon Township. Then, we could get vital clues.

Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan is 59. He was born in Htantabin, Kawhmu Township. His educational qualification is fourth standard. He has five wives and he lives at Kanhlyashei Village in Kungyangon Township. He was sentenced to nine years for robbing U Thaung Nyunt's house of Khayaik Khani Village in Kawhmu Township and U Pu's farm cottage in Htantabin Village. He absconded from the convicts camp in 1992. He was recaptured in 1996 and so his sentence was extended. He was sentenced to another seven years for striking a fellow convict "Naing Win" to death with a mattock at Yinn Nyein convicts camp in Taungsun in 1998. He was released from Thayet Prison in October 2007. The patrol team seized him near Zeegon Village at 8 pm on 19 May.

Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan admitted that he was an accomplice of the robbery. Then, we could expose another accomplice Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone of Wetkaik Village in Kungyangon Township. Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone stayed hiding together with other robbers.

So, we had to wait for the time when he contacted his wife of Wetkaik Village. He gave a phone call to his wife through PCO phone in Wetkaik Village at 12.30 pm on 28 May. We found out evidences one by one, and members of Bago Division Police Force seized Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone who was hiding at the hut of Kyaw Naing Oo of Kamar Kaban Village in Waw Township, Bago Division.

Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone is a native of Nyaungkonlay Village in Thaton Township, Mon State. As we expected, he has experience of similar

cases. He was sentenced to 20 years and 6 months in October 1994 for robbing three motorized boats in the sea and holding a handmade gun illegally. He was released from Thayawady Prison in October 2008.

He came to settle down with his wife in Watkaik village, Kungyangon Township. He got involved in the case after befriending Aye Than serving 10- year prison terms on changes of carrying guns and Aye Lwin (a) Myint Kyaw (a) Kayin serving 10- year prison terms on changes of robbery and murder while he was in Thayawady Jail.

Going back to the incident, Aye Than and Aye Lwin (a) Myint Kyaw (a) Kayin went to Thang Lwin (a) Hse Lone on 5-4-2010 and planned a robbery. Aye Than said he had enough arms and ammunition to commit robbery and asked Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone to look for a house from where they could get a lot of money. With the assistance and information given by his brother-in-law Than Maung (a) Hnyat Si and Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan living in Polaung village (West), Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone targeted Daw Thein Myint’s house in Dayallu village. According to investigation, the facts that they chose the house as the owner was wealthy, that it was supposed to have K 20 million or K 30 million, that it was easy to make way to and out of the house as it is situated at the edge of the village, that Daw Thein Myint would not be able to defend herself as she lived alone.

After the gang of robbers had made plans for robbery, Aye Lwin (a) Myint Kyaw (a) Kayin went to Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone on 20-4-2010 for making detailed plans and took him to the house of U Myint Shwe and Daw Metu of Zotkali village, Bilin Township, Mon State. There they met Aye Than and discussed detailed plans again. They planned to disguise as Tatmadawmen for they had automatic guns. They also discussed carrying of two AK 47 guns and one M 67 grenade, hiring of a motorboat from Soe Hton of Muthin village, Bilin Township, Mon State, and Myint Soe of Mayongon village, Thaton Township, who were friends of Aye Than, and the route to enter and leave the house.
On 14-5-2010, the gang of robbers started their operation. They walked to the Htanpinkalaing village jetty, about two miles from Zotkali village, Bilin Township, Mon State. First, the gang comprised of Aye Than, Aye Lwin (a) Myint Kyaw (a) Kayin, Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone and Khin Maung Win (a) Maung Win, who was visiting Aye Than for repairing the hut, totaling 4. They set out in Myint Soe and Soe Hton’s motorboat from the jetty at about 6 am on 14 May. They arrived at Ma Ngwe Than Gully in Thaungbyu village, Kongyangon township at about 5pm on 15-5-2010.

Their route to the house is shown on the notice boards. Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone and Aye Lwin (a) Myint Kyaw (a) Kayin went to Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan’s house and enquired about the status of house they would rob. The remaining robbers were left behind on board the motorboat.

At 7am on 16-5-2010 Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone and Aye Lwin (a) Myint Kyaw (a) Kayin went to Than Maung (a) Hnyat Si, who looked for the house they would rob and asked him about the final status of the house. They then went and studied the house and its environs on a practical basis.

Native Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan was asked to wait in a hut near Bawsakaing village at about 7 pm. Aye Than, Khin Maung Win and Aye Lwin were wearing green army uniforms. Aye Than was carrying a gun and a grenade in his camouflaged bag. Khin Maung Win (a) Maung Win was also carrying a gun. Four of them met Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan at the designated place and set out to Daw Thein Myint’s house at 9.10 pm. When arrived at the gate of Daw Thein Myint’s house, Aye Than made her open the fence door by asking her whether betel quid-chewing Tin Aye was there and saying they had to conduct checks. When farm labourer Tha Kyaw and Pho Htoo opened the fence door, Aye Than and his men entered the compound and Maung Hsan left outside the compound. Tha Kyaw and Pho Htoo were tied up and Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone watched them. The other three went onto the house and threatened Daw Thein Myint to give them gold and money. When they got K 1.3 million, Pho Htoo managed to escape and shouted for help. At the time, some 30 villagers came and threw stones and catapulted at the robbers. When three robbers including Aye Than came out of the house, the house owner closed the door. Aye Lwin (a) Kayin broke the door, took two polythene bags containing K 3 million from the bed, came down from the house and ran between the house and the kitchen. But he fell down as a villager hit him with a stick. Aye Lwin (a) Kayin grabbed the stick hit back the villager and helped Aye Than to run. Unfortunately, the two bags of money were dropped. The robber gang retreated through the back fence and rushed to the middle village road. As the villagers followed them, Aye Than threw the grenade into the crowds. When the crowd stopped due to the bomb blast, the robbers managed to flee.

In this incident, two villagers were killed and 12 injured. The death toll reached 3 as one more died later. The robbers took K 1.3 million and one gold ring worth K 100,000 totaling about K 1.4 million from the house owner.

I would like to interrupt here that the united efforts of Dayallu dwellers were remarkable. It was a good example that the villagers with duty consciousness made a brave fight against robbers in accord with the motto:” Unity is Strength”.

Thanks to the united attack of villagers, robbers did not get enought time to take a large amount of money, but had to flee in disarray. And a villager dared to enter the house and hit an armed robber. This shows the courage of Myanmar people who have never hesitate to sacrifice their lives
for the security of their community. Their bravery is an encouragement for members of security force. This incident spotlighted that local people residing across the nation who favour peace and stability and oppose violence would fight back against terrorists who rely on arms to bully people.

They gave a packet of K 100,000 to Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan when they arrived at a rest house, west of Zigon village, and departed after the group of robbers ran away from the village where the incident broke out. Four including Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone went to the jetty. They left there at 5 a.m. on 5 May 2010 and arrived at Zotekali village in Bilin Township at about 12 midnight the following day. They hid the ammunition in the house of U Myint Shwe and Daw Metu. They divided the K 1.3 million they robbed — K 100,000 to Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan, K 150,000 to Myint Soe and Soe Hton as motorized boat fare, K 50,000 to Aye Lwin (a) Myint Kyaw (a) Kayin and K 85,000 to Khin Maung Win (a) Maung Win. The remaining K 920,000 and a gold ring went to Aye Than. Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone said that he did not get his share till he was arrested. The group of robbers departed from Zotekati village.

According to the investigation, Khin Maung Win (a) Maung Win was arrested by Mon State Police Force members at a monastery in Kathiakkyi village of Thaton Township when he went into hiding. At a time when Khin Maung Win (a) Maung Win committed the robbery he wore the green uniform and shot at the villagers with AK-47. Motorboat driver Soe Hton was arrested by Mon State Police Force members at Muthin village in Bilin Township on 29 May 2010. Aye Than who wore the green uniform and committed the robbery with AK-47 was at large. He attacked the villagers a gun and grenades. Aye Than aged 62, son of U Ba Kyi, was a native of Zotethoke village in Bilin Township. He went underground in 1988 and served in KNU Brigade (1). After five months, he served as an in-charge of extorting money at the mouth of Sittoung creek and in the sea. In 1990, he returned to the legal fold accompanied by 25 members with 16 small arms at LID (66) in Thaton. He was arrested for drug trafficking at Waw Township on 7 February 2000 and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

The arrested Khin Maung Win (a) Maung Win and fugitive Aye Than are former members of the company of Bo Maung Ni under No. 1 Brigade of KNU. It is known to all that KNU is bullying and committing murder against the innocent people in the past and at present. The said murder and robbery show the real image of KNU.

According to confession of Thaung Lwin (a) Hse Lone, members of Mon State Police Force arrested Aye Lwin (a) Myint Kyaw (a) Kayin at the house in U Myint Shwe, Daw Me Tu in Zokkati Village of Bilin Township on 29-5-2010. The culprit wearing green uniform participated in the robbery case. While arresting him, two AK-47s, 72 rounds of ammunition and two magazines hidden in the house of U Myint Shwe, Daw Me Tu were seized.

The arms experts from Criminal Investigation Department approved that the seized arms and ammunition were used in the robbery. The experts also approved that the shells of bullets left in the house of robbery case were used from the two guns seized from the house of U Myint Shwe, Daw Me Tu.

With regard to robbery case in Dayallu Village of Kungyangon Township, the authorities has arrested four of five robbers—Khin Maung Win (a) Maung Win wearing green uniform who opened fire in the robbery case, Aye Lwin (a) Myint Kyaw (a) Kayin with green uniform and other robbers Thaung Lwin (Hse Lone) and Maung Hsan (a) Nga Hsan. One of the robbers Aye Than wearing green uniform is now a fugitive. Therefore, the authorities concerned continue investigation to arrest him.

According to the final confessions, Tha Aye hired two AK-47s, one grenade and rounds of ammunition from Maung Maung aged 44, son of U Pha Pyaung of Taunggyar Village of Thaton Township, and Maung Maung is connecting with KNU insurgents, it was learnt.

Moreover, Than Maung (a) Hnget Si who sought the target house and gave inside information, motor boat employee Soe Hton, and U Myint Shwe and Daw Me Tu who hid the robbers and arms have been arrested. The authorities concerned has seized two AK-47s and rounds of ammunition and exposed the every link of case.

I would like to make clarification on another seizure of arms and ammunition. At 11 pm on 6 May, the patrol team members of Shwegyin Police Station in Shwegyin Township, Bago Division, inspected one suspected Tiger 4W Double Cab with the number plate 9Kha/9019 at Pyinmabin Bridge in Shwegyin. Driver was Nyi Khaing, aged 28 of Myawady and conductor, Myo Aung, aged 38 of Myawady.

The authorities seized one .45 pistol, one 9mm pistol, one .32 pistol, two M-16s, one M-23, one BA-52 sten, two spare barrels of M-16, totalling seven and related equipment hidden in the secret drawer of petrol tank from the vehicle.

Driver Nyi Khaing, the fifth of six siblings, was born of Kyaungdaw Village of Pwintbyu Township, Magway Division. He is 28 years old and he passed eighth standard. He was married in the year 2000 and moved to Myawady of Kayin State, native of his wife. While working as a motorbike taxi driver in Myawady, he visited Mae Sot of Thailand severally and started connection with anti-organizations from other country. In 2007, he divorced the first wife and married another in Myawady. In February 2009, he joined KNU/ KNLA and discharged duty under control of Lieutenant level Shwe Kyaw who was rations in-charge of KNU/ KNLA. His main duty was to collect gate fees of illegal items imported from Thailand and he illegally traded arms and vehicles without licences.

According to the investigations, Nyi Khaing bought the vehicles without licences from Phi Hsan of Mae Sot of Thailand and sold them in Shan State.

He exchanged the vehicles without licences with stimulant tablets instead of money and sold the stimulant tablets in other country.

In illegally trading vehicles without licences, Nyi Khaing drove one Hilix Double Cab for the first time in mid-September 2009, one Pajero 2 Door in the first week of October 2009 for the second time and one Pajero 4 Door, two pistols, three M-16s and rounds of ammunition in the last week of October for the third time to Shan State and took stimulant tablets on his return. According to the confession of Nyi Khaing, Major level Saw Htoo Htoo Wah (a) Dah Htoo of KNU/KNLA took K 1 million for guarding Nyi Khaing in carrying the unlicensed vehicle and rounds of ammunition for security measures along the route from Toungoo to Shan State. While carrying one unlicensed Double Cab 4 wheel, seven guns, 464 rounds of ammunition, eight assorted magazines, one sniper installed with laser equipment and other related equipment for the fourth time on 5-5-2010, Nyi Khaing was arrested. Although he used the new route of carrying the items, the security members, acting on tip-off, could expose and arrest him. He bartered the car with stimulant tablets which he sold to the other country through Naw Tamu (a) Nan Win Shwe of Myawady. All the guests may view the documents related to the case put on display at the board. MPF continues the all-out efforts for arresting the providers, related persons and buyers who participated in the case.

Only when, peace and stability is of prevalence, will the nation develop. If the nation is peaceful and tranquil, success will be achieved in the democratization process.

Therefore, the security members are carrying out their tasks day in and day out for prevalence of peace and stability in the entire nation. Indeed, the security members alone cannot carry out tasks of peace and stability to gain progress. That is why I would like to urge all the people to give a helping hand to MPF in the tasks of peace and stability and prevalence of law and order.

Later, the conference came to an end on 2.10 pm after the MPF Chief had answered the queries raised by attendees. After the conference, the attendees viewed the maps showing the robbery case in Dayallu Village, figure of communication between the suspects, evidences at the scene, foothold of leader of robbers Aye Than and his team, photos and biographies of suspects involving in murder and robbery and arms and ammunitions used in the robbery case in Dayallu Village, and unlicensed vehicle, arms, ammunition and related items seized in Shwegyin on 6 May.