After 10 missing resistance members were returned dead by Indian forces, Myanmar’s NUG alleges torture and extrajudicial killings. A diplomatic flashpoint looms unless India acts with transparency and urgency.
BY PC Bureau
The National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar has accused India’s Assam Rifles of the unlawful killing of ten members of the People’s Defence Organization (PDO) near the Indo-Myanmar border, escalating tensions in an already volatile region. The incident, which took place in Tamu District, Sagaing Region, has deep roots in the ongoing conflict and instability along the border.
According to the NUG, the PDO members, stationed in Kama Gyi Village, went missing on May 14, 2025. Two days later, on May 16, Assam Rifles (Battalion-1, based in Chandel District, Manipur) handed over the bodies of the ten individuals. The NUG claims that its investigations reveal the members were not killed in an armed encounter, as reported by some Indian media, but were captured, tortured, and summarily executed by Assam Rifles personnel despite prior notification of their presence in the area.
The NUG further alleges that during the handover of the bodies, Myanmar officials were forced to sign a document containing contentious terms, including a claim that the PDO members had initiated hostilities after crossing into Indian territory and an implied consent to ongoing border fencing activities. The bodies were released only after the document was signed.
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In response, the NUG has established a Task Force for India to verify the identities of the deceased, secure their remains, and conduct a thorough investigation. The task force has already begun engaging with Indian counterparts to uncover the truth behind the incident.
Republic of the Union of Myanmar
National Unity Government
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Statement (4/2025)
20 May 2025Statement on the Killing of 10 Members of People’s Defence Organization in Tamu District in the Indo-Myanmar Border
1. It has come to our attention that ten… pic.twitter.com/FEbM6qXr20
— National Unity Government Myanmar (@NUGMyanmar) May 20, 2025
The NUG has called on the Indian government to take immediate action, including publicly clarifying the facts, ensuring accountability through a transparent investigation, providing compensation to the victims’ families, implementing measures to prevent future incidents, and temporarily suspending border fencing in areas with unresolved demarcation. The statement emphasizes that the killings do not reflect India’s official policy but urges swift justice to maintain the longstanding neighborly relations between the two nations.
Background of the Encounter
The Indo-Myanmar border, particularly in areas like Tamu District, has been a hotspot for tension since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, which ousted the elected government and gave rise to the NUG and various resistance groups, including the PDO. The PDO, a local defense force aligned with the NUG, has been engaged in skirmishes with Myanmar’s military junta, often operating near the porous border with India. This region, marked by dense forests and unresolved border demarcations, has also seen increased activity by revolutionary groups, as well as issues like illegal narcotics trade, which both nations have sought to curb through joint efforts.
The @NUGMyanmar says it’s working with Indian officials to discuss the recent killing of what it says were PaKaPha (People’s Defence Team) personnel by the Assam Rifles near the India-Myanmar border in Tamu (Sagaing Region). https://t.co/iFPI5Ruips pic.twitter.com/Vb2QObRXx7
— Angshuman Choudhury (@angshuman_ch) May 20, 2025
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Assam Rifles, tasked with securing the border and maintaining law and order in the Northeast, have been conducting operations to prevent cross-border insurgencies and smuggling. The NUG claims that the PDO members, temporarily stationed in Kama Gyi Village near the border, had informed the Assam Rifles of their presence to avoid misunderstandings. However, on May 14, 2025, the ten PDO members went missing from their base. Two days later, on May 16, Assam Rifles (Battalion-1, based in Chandel District, Manipur) handed over their bodies, sparking outrage from the NUG.
While reaffirming its commitment to border cooperation, the NUG has urged Myanmar citizens and revolutionary groups to avoid actions that could harm bilateral ties, particularly emphasizing adherence to the rule of law and efforts to curb illegal narcotics trade along the border. The statement, issued on May 21, 2025, formally appeals to India for cooperation in addressing this “grave matter,” warning that without the full truth, rising concerns and future complications will be difficult to resolve.
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