Namkham Public to Demonstrate for Release of TNLA Detainee

By Hom Hurng / Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.) | September 6, 2018

Local woman Nang Mo Hom has been in TNLA custody for three weeks.

Civil society organization representatives and family members of Nang Mo Hom—who has been detained by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) since August 17—will hold a peaceful demonstration on Friday in Namkham calling for her release.

The event will take place in front of a church near the center of the northern Shan State town. It follows multiple requests by Nang Mo Hom’s relatives that the authorities intervene on her behalf.

According to Sai Aik, a social volunteer in Namkham Township, the local General Administration Department has given permission for the demonstration to go ahead, as long as the demonstrators “provide their own security.”

Namkham-based civil society and community-based organizations, including Buddhist groups, village headmen, Shan literature committees, youth networks and political parties have signed a petition demanding that Nang Mo Hom be released from TNLA custody immediately. The letter was sent to government authorities on Wednesday.

On September 3, the TNLA released a statement claiming that Nang Mo Hom was responsible for the death of an on-duty Ta’ang soldier who was serving as a tax collector; he was killed by the Burma Army after visiting Nang Mo Hom’s community. Her family has denied any connection in the soldier’s death, but the TNLA’s own court is charging her under Article 333 of its criminal code. The law states that those found guilty will be fined and must serve up to 10 years in prison.