School student seeks refuge in India after a week in fetters

Khonumthung News Group: 27 July 2006

A middle school student escaped from the clutches of the Burmese police after being in fetters for a week and sought refuge in India in the first week of July.

Aung Lin Zoe (16) son of Mr. and Mrs. Hei Ngaih, of Sat Shai village, Paletwa Township, Chin state, Burma was arrested by Burmese soldiers on his way from his village after collecting monthly provisions for himself in the school. He was allegedly arrested because his brother is a cadre in the Chin National Army (CNA).

Aung Lin Zoe studied in standard VII in Mi Ca village, around three miles from Sat Shai village. Aung Lin Zoe was arrested on June11, as the Secretary (Adwinyihmu) of Mi Ca Village Peace and Development Council (VPDC) reported to the military authorities that his brother is a CNA cadre.

“I was arrested just about a week after the school re-opened after the summer vacation,” said Aung Lin Zoe.

Sergeant Me Maung’s section of the Infantry Battalion (IB) – 550 arrested Aung Lin Zoe and handed him over to the Tura Iang police station. He was reportedly interrogated regarding the whereabouts of his brother and tortured by Private Shwe Soe of Tura Iang police station.

“I was hung upside down and blood flowed from my nose. I was physically manhandled. I could not imagine that I would be able to escape the nightmare,” said Aung Lin Zoe recollecting his ordeal in police custody.

Aung Lin Zoe escaped from police custody on June 17 around 11:00 a.m. Burma Standard Time (BST). Aung Lin Zoe sought permission to go to the toilet. He attacked the policeman, when the latter unlocked his fetter. Aung Lin Zoe escaped and sought refuge in Mizoram, India.

“The policeman guarding me was about my age and size. I punched and kicked him and he could not get up,” said Aung Lin Zoe.

Aung Lin Zoe hid in different villages with the help of his relatives. Realizing that he could not hide for long in Burma, he fled and took refuge in Tui Dang village, Lawngtlai district, Mizoram, India.

Aung Lin Zoe’s father was also reportedly hunted by the Burmese authorities for arrest. Hei Ngaih also fled to Mizoram leaving his wife and his four married daughters.