CDM doctor detained over misconduct in Sagaing’s Mingin Township

A senior doctor who joined the civil disobedience movement and later served in the National Unity Government’s Mingin Township administration was arrested following complaints filed against her, the NUG Prime Minister’s Office said Monday. The township People’s Security Organization arrested Khin Thu Thu Lwin at her clinic in Thintaw village on November 30. She previously served as doctor-in-charge of Mingin Township Hospital before joining the civil disobedience movement (CDM) and later held a post in the township People’s Administration Organization, from which she was removed in September 2024. After being removed from her PAO duties, she opened a clinic at her residence and continued providing healthcare services to the local area, according to local residents. Nay Phone Latt, the NUG spokesperson, said she was arrested after complaints were filed over her conduct while serving in the Mingin Township PAO and for repeatedly failing to appear when summoned. Nay Phone Latt said the Mingin Township PSO arrested her after she failed to respond to multiple summons over outstanding complaints. “Daw Khin Thu Thu Lwin has cases filed against her for issues including not returning guns rented from the PDO and not submitting tax during her time as PAO official, so the Mingin Township PSO investigation team arrested her in accordance with procedures,” Nay Phone Latt told Myanmar Now. “To avoid this kind of situation, she was summoned multiple times by letter to come and resolve the issues. But since she never came to resolve them, it took a long time.”Video circulating in regional media shows at least five uniformed men surrounding her in her compound and trying to handcuff her, prompting criticism of the arrest tactics. CDM police officers noted that the police manual permits handcuffing only when there is a reasonable risk of escape, and that it is not required in most cases, particularly involving women or children. They added that arrests of women must be carried out with a female officer present, otherwise the procedure is not considered lawful. Nay Phone Latt also said that the PSO would carry out a full investigation, seek legal guidance, move the case through the prosecution process, and hand it over to the courts for further action. The NUG Prime Minister’s Office said the CDM Success Committee is overseeing the case because she is a Ministry of Health member. Dr. Khin Thu Thu Lwin could not be reached for comment.In recent years, there have been other incidents in which NUG or PSO-led arrests have drawn public criticism, particularly over the use of force and procedural transparency, prompting ongoing debate within resistance-administered areas about oversight and accountability. At the end of last October, three regional PDO and PAO leaders who protested against a gold mining project in Laungpyayt village in Mingin Township were arrested and detained, and have not yet been released. In Kani Township, Sagaing Region, an incident occurred in August when 13 people, including township three NUG officials were arrested and detained for investigation regarding tax collection issues.A Mingin Township resident told Myanmar now that there had been shortcomings during her tenure as a PAO official."During the time the doctor was with PAO, I couldn't speak regarding all her authority and tasks,” the Mingin Township resident said. “Although her performance was adequate, there were some weaknesses.”

CDM doctor detained over misconduct in Sagaing’s Mingin Township

Her arrest drew criticism after video showed officers surrounding her at home, fueling debate over procedure and oversight in NUG-run areas

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