Motorcyclists complain of abuse by Mandalay police

Motorcyclists complain of abuse by Mandalay police

By Si Thu Lwin   |   Monday, 25 November 2013

For two young Mandalay men, an encounter with the police ended up in the hospital emergency room. Now the parents of one of the men have threatened to sue the police.

Relatives show blood-spattered clothes worn by a young man on the night he and a friend were taken to a police station and allegedly beaten. (Si Thu Lwin/The Myanmar Times)

The incident began at the corner of 26th and 80th streets in Mandalay at 11pm on November 17, the full moon day of Tazaungdine.

"When our motorcycle stopped at the corner of 80th Street, two policemen posted there told us to move on, and spoke abusively to us," said Ko Myo Min Tun, 26.

After words were exchanged, "another policeman arrived and beat us and then they took us to the police station in Aung Myay Thar San township," he said. "At the station they beat us."

He said he and his companion, Ko Phyo Wai, 27, were taken to the emergency room of Mandalay Hospital with head and eye injuries.

Now the two men have been charged with "voluntarily causing grievous hurt to deter a public servant from his duty".

Daw Moe Sandar, mother of Ko Pyo Wai, said, "I've not been allowed to see them in person or to see their medical records. I've just seen them via the television screen. If they are guilty, they will have to accept the penalty. But if the police beat them, we will sue," she said.

The parents of the two said they were allowed to see their sons in the cells at Aung Myay Thar San court by paying a visitor fee of K500 each.

Police Captain Aunt Myint, of No 5 Police Station, said, "They beat policemen with a stick, leaving them with injuries. We allowed their parents to see them. We will arrange for medical treatment by special physicians if they require intensive care."

Translation by Zar Zar Soe

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/11/28/motorcyclists-complain-of-abuse-by-mandalay-police/