Hello/Greetings. Starting now, we will be reading and presenting m.CDM’s domestic news.
Today’s stories include:
- In Lashio, a city under the control of the military council, a group entered a monastery compound and killed a monk.
- In Kyaikhto Township, one child and one woman were killed by the military council’s artillery; in Pakokku Township, a military council column set fire to and destroyed displaced persons’ shelters.
- APHR firmly rejects the military council’s election and urges that the results not be recognized as legitimate.
- In Mingun, an ambush on a military council column reportedly killed around 10.
…and we will also present other related items as well.
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1) In military-council–controlled Lashio, a group entered a monastery and killed a monk
m.CDM — January 28
Local residents say that in Lashio, northern Shan State—recently brought back under military council control—a group entered a monastery compound and killed a monk.
At around 6:30 a.m. on January 28, in Ward (4) of Lashio, a monk residing at Maha Bodhiyone Monastery, U Kesara, was reportedly attacked and killed by a group of people.
He died from 12 stab wounds to the abdomen and injuries to the head from being beaten with a blunt object (reportedly a hammer). As of now, the perpetrators have not been arrested, according to residents.
It is reported that, due to pressure from the Chinese government, the MNDAA handed Lashio back to the military council in April 2025. Since the military council regained control, incidents such as looting, armed robbery, kidnappings, killings, and theft have occurred frequently.
Residents also say the military council has not taken effective action against crimes in the city. In addition, a displaced man who criticized on social media that there is no rule of law in Lashio was arrested and sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of inciting the disruption of elections.
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2) In Kyaikhto Township, artillery kills a child and a woman; in Pakokku Township, displaced shelters burned down by a military column
m.CDM — January 28
The KNU reports that in Mon State, Thaton District—within a KNU-controlled area—artillery fired by military council forces killed one child and one woman in Alu Gyi Village, Kyaikhto Township.
At 9:25 p.m. on January 26, a unit identified as Battalion/Regiment (KhaMaYa) (3) under Division (44) allegedly fired three 120mm artillery rounds toward villages where civilians live.
The shells reportedly exploded in and around Alu Gyi Village, near a pagoda mound by Pho Wa Thein Village, and near Nyaung Htauk Village. One shell hit the home of a villager named Saw Pe Si.
As a result, Saw Pe Si’s wife, Naw Aye Win (59), and his grandchild, Moe Shwe Sin (3), were killed. His daughter, Naw Thaw Tar (27), was injured, and the house was also burned and destroyed.
Separately, a civil society organization (Anyar Myay – Myaing) said that in Magway Region’s Pakokku Township, a military council column conducting operations set fire to and destroyed shelters used by displaced people near Pe Pin Kan.
At around 7:30 a.m. on January 27, shelters of displaced residents from Twin Ma Village—located near Pe Pin Kan between Thit Pu Lwe Kone and Tharsi villages—were burned. The extent of damage is not yet known.
Because it is unclear whether the column will re-enter Twin Ma Pyu Village or move toward Thayet Kan Pyu Village, local displaced communities (including those in Twin Ma, Tharsi, and Hninsi Kan areas) were warned to stay alert. Residents in southern Myaing Township were also urged to be especially cautious about both ground offensives and air attacks.
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3) In Mingun, an ambush on a military council column reportedly killed around 10
m.CDM — January 28
A group calling itself the “Unicorn Guerrilla Force” reported that an ambush on a military council column near Chaung Ma Gyi Village in the Mingun area of Sagaing Region killed about 10.
They said that at 8:00 a.m. on January 25, they attacked a force of roughly 150 troops—military council soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militia—who had come out from Division (33) based in Sagaing.
They claimed about 10 members of the military council and Pyu Saw Htee were killed or fatally wounded, and that the column retreated in disarray. They also said they pursued and conducted area-clearing operations afterward.
The statement said the attack was carried out jointly by Unicorn Guerrilla Force, Mingun PDF, People Servant Force, Yadanabon Force, No More Dictatorship (NMD), GS Force, and U Daung Min Force.
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4) In KNLA Brigade 4 area, attacks on an advancing column and military checkpoints kill at least 3 including 2 officers
m.CDM — January 28
An “elite unit” under KNLA Brigade 4 said that attacks on an advancing military column and military checkpoints within Brigade 4 territory resulted in at least three deaths on the military side, including two officers.
The KNLA Brigade 4 elite unit released reports covering clashes and drone attacks that occurred during December 2025.
They said that when a military force of about 30 reinforced the Taung Yar Kan Village crossroads checkpoint and advanced toward Hlae Kyun Wa Village, mines planted by the KNLA Brigade 4 elite unit killed two officers on December 17 and seriously injured at least five others. They also reported that at around 3:30 p.m. that day, drone-dropped bombs were released twice, causing additional casualties.
They said that on December 18, they dropped 12 bombs on Kyauk Su checkpoint with the intention of instilling fear among troops preparing to hold a “sham election.”
They also reported drone bomb drops on several dates and locations, including: December 20 (checkpoint No. 5 in Palaw town, 8 kg), January 22 (Nan Taung village camp hill, 15 kg; Taung Yar Kan checkpoint, 2 kg and 5 kg), December 23 (staff housing No. 4 in Palaw town, 5 kg x2 and 2 kg x2; and an attempted strike on Kyauk Su checkpoint, but bombs fell into fields due to a drone malfunction), and December 28 (attacks on Nan Taung checkpoint, Kyauk Su checkpoint, Ward No. 7 in Palaw town, and the Taung Yar Kan checkpoint), where they said one soldier was initially confirmed dead and that they were still investigating details.
The unit urged civilians not to stay near areas where military troops are stationed, stating they will continue to strike the military whenever opportunities arise.
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5) APHR rejects the military council’s election and urges the results not be recognized as legitimate
m.CDM — January 28
The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) released a statement saying it firmly rejects the military council–organized election and the claim that the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won.
APHR said the phased voting that ended on January 25 produced results that were predictable, arguing the process was organized by the same military that seized power in 2021 and conducted amid widespread repression, exclusion, and violence.
APHR said turnout was significantly lower than in the 2015 and 2020 elections, and argued this reflected not apathy but fear and conditions that made voting practically impossible.
They said some people avoided voting out of fear, while others were entirely unable to vote due to conflict, displacement, and restrictions imposed by the military council.
They emphasized that major opposition forces—including the NLD—and leaders such as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remain imprisoned, meaning meaningful participation was impossible, and therefore the election cannot be considered free, fair, or credible.
They also pointed to airstrikes, military operations, and mass displacement during the election period as factors preventing people from freely expressing their will.
APHR urged countries and regional/international organizations not to accept efforts to normalize or legitimize the process and its results.
They said the humanitarian cost of the “sham election” is extremely high, and argued the military council’s actions aim to entrench military rule and protect perpetrators of war crimes.
APHR additionally called on the Philippines—expected to assume the ASEAN chair in 2026—to lead regional efforts to reject the military council’s election results, press for the release of political prisoners, ensure humanitarian access, and hold perpetrators of human rights violations accountable.
APHR urged ASEAN to go beyond its non-interference principle to amplify the voice of the Myanmar people and to practically support their aspirations for democracy, justice, and security.
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6) AA warns the public to be especially alert about the deadly Nipah virus
m.CDM — January 28
The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government’s Arakan People’s Health Department warned the public to be especially cautious about the Nipah virus outbreak in India.
On January 27, they released information on symptoms, transmission routes, and prevention methods. The listed symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, encephalitis (brain inflammation), and seizures.
They said the virus can spread through fruit bitten by bats, as well as saliva, urine, and feces. They advised washing hands thoroughly with soap, never eating fruit bitten by bats, avoiding close contact with sick or suspected cases, and using protective equipment such as masks and gloves when caring for patients.
Because there is no specific cure for Nipah, they stressed prevention as the most effective approach and urged anyone with suspicious symptoms to seek medical attention immediately at hospitals, clinics, or health departments.
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7) Yinmabin District Battalion (9) warns of scammers using fake accounts to steal donations
m.CDM — January 28
The People’s Defense Force (PDF) Yinmabin District Battalion (9) warned the public that scammers are using fake accounts to steal money connected to their “Spring Rations Campaign.”
The battalion said it is running a 48-day campaign from January 25 to March 15 to raise enough for 500 sacks of rice and 100 containers of cooking oil, but fake accounts using the battalion’s name have appeared and are scamming donors.
They said they discovered the fake account/page on the morning of January 27, after receiving screenshots from a donor the day after their first livestream.
They said their investigation found that one donor connected to the official page was scammed out of 1,000,000 kyats.
They noted the fake account name was written as “North Werstem Denfence Force,” differing from the official page name.
They disclosed that the fake account used these KPay numbers: 09 764 550 938 (Daw Ni Ni Khaing) and 09 793 830 969 (U Thaw Dar Lin).
They advised the public to donate only through direct contact via official battalion pages and urged everyone to verify whether a page is official.
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😎 Justice Soldier Drone unit recruits 200 members to strengthen technical capacity
m.CDM — January 28
A People’s Defense Force unit called “Justice Soldier Drone” announced on January 28 that it will recruit 200 members and provide training to strengthen its technical capacity.
Interested applicants who meet the criteria can apply via the Justice Soldier page messenger.
They said applicants must be aged 18–40, and priority will be given to those with education at least through Grade 8 who are interested in computer programming and IT.
They also listed requirements including: good health sufficient for military training; determination to uproot dictatorship and build a federal democratic system; ability to serve until the revolution ends; strict compliance with orders; a clean criminal record; strong interest in technology; and loyalty to the revolution.
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9) Karenni National Progressive Party says more youth and women are now included in the Central Committee
m.CDM — January 28
The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) announced on January 28 that more youth and women are now included in its Central Committee.
The party held its 15th party congress from January 19 to 24 in Talle Du So, a location in Karenni State’s “Soe Taw Sha” Township area, and issued an announcement about those selected for the new term.
Of the 30 Central Committee members selected for the 15th term, eight are women and five are youth under age 35.
They said the congress approved reports on four years of work by the KNPP central headquarters and by the Karenni State government body, as well as the party’s basic principles, constitution, and administrative bylaws for the Karenni State government body.
The KNPP said it will work together with allied revolutionary forces across the revolutionary period, the transition period, and beyond, pursuing an approach of strengthening the union by strengthening states/federal units, with the ultimate goal of building a future federal union.
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10) Student dies after a fight between students at Shwe Pyi Thar High School (1)
m.CDM — January 28
Social media reports say that on the morning of January 27, a fight broke out between students at Basic Education High School (1) in Shwe Pyi Thar Township, Yangon Region, and a Grade 7 student died.
The deceased was identified as Maung Moe Thuraing. The incident reportedly occurred during the school snack break, stemming from a dispute among middle school students.
Reports say an older student punched him, and because Maung Moe Thuraing had a pre-existing heart condition, he died at the scene.
However, school officials reportedly told the parents that he died after collapsing from exhaustion while playing football.
Videos of the incident have spread on social media, and heavy criticism has been directed at school officials.
A local resident was quoted saying (paraphrased): Teachers told children not to tell their families and to say only that he died from exhaustion; based on children’s accounts, one student first punched him but was “not the same age,” so another student closer in age was told to punch him; he was punched in the neck, his nerves seized up, he urinated, and died.
A page called “Shwe Pyi Thar Information” said it heard that both students and school officials were being summoned and questioned as a follow-up.
Within Yangon, group bullying and fights among youth have been happening frequently. Critics argue this is linked to moral and behavioral decline among youth after the military coup.
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11) Thai Pakdee campaigns that it will crack down on Myanmar community organizations; Myanmar citizens in Thailand launch a 14-day “silent and calm living” campaign
m.CDM — January 28
Thai news reports say that, ahead of Thailand’s February 8 election, the conservative nationalist Thai Pakdee Party campaigned that if it wins, it will crack down on Myanmar community organizations in Thailand that help migrant workers with labor rights and related issues.
The party reportedly posted a campaign video on its Facebook page on the night of January 27 saying it would take strict action against such Myanmar social organizations if it wins.
The party described these organizations as groups helping Myanmar workers with labor rights issues and the ability to form labor unions.
The video also reportedly expressed fear that foreigners might come to control or occupy parts of Thailand, and compared the influx of Myanmar migrant workers to mass Muslim migration into Europe.
It also alleged that two unnamed Thai political parties were backing Myanmar NGOs behind the scenes.
The party is reported to prioritize protecting the Thai monarchy, nationalist priorities, and protecting Thai workers’ rights.
Meanwhile, pressure from ultranationalist groups against Myanmar workers has been rising in Thailand. In places such as Mae Sot and Ayutthaya, Myanmar shops have reportedly been forced to close and people have been assaulted. Labor-rights helpers said Myanmar workers have been urged to be cautious and to stay indoors.
Myanmar citizens in Thailand have launched a 14-day “silent and calm living” campaign starting January 26, aiming to show they live peacefully alongside Thai citizens.
Participants are urged to avoid loud speech, spitting betel juice, attending festivities, and drinking or intoxication.