A young man from Taungup township of Rakhine State died at Taungup general hospital after he was subjected to torture byjunta forces during his arrest and interrogation.

The victim is identified as Ko Nyi Naing Soe (19 yearsold) hailing from Ta Pyawt village under Taungup township.

He was arrested by the junta forces on 18 December along with Maung San MinNaing (17)  and U Win Shwe (41), all from Ta Pyawt village.

"At 3 am, I came to  know that he passed away atTaungup 100-bed general hospital. We were uncertain about his location sincehis arrest,” said a close family member, while talking to Narinjara News.

The junta forces neither informed Ko Nyi Naing Soe's family about his death norallowed them to take away his mortal remains.

"Since Ko Nyi Naing Soe's arrest, he was never produced in court. Nocommunication with his family was allowed. The family was not allowed to bringhis body for necessary rituals,” added the family member exclaiming that denialof bringing the body back for funeral is very painful.

The locals termed the military junta as anarchistunder which rule of law has entirely vanished.

"Think about it. A young man arrested by juntaforces wasn't presented in the court. The  junta severed contacts with hisfamily. Inhumane torture was inflicted during the interrogation. Upon hisdeath, the family wasn't informed, and they are not permitted to bring his bodyback. How lawlessness is prevailing in the country,” he exclaimed.

The family was also barred from viewing thepost-mortem report. The boy had no illness, but the junta tried to spread newsthat he was suffering from liver cancer.

"He was a healthy guy. Now his body is not handedover to the family that means his cause of death will remain under suspicion,”voiced the family member.

Ko Nyi Naing Soe was reportedly buried in Taungupcemetery yesterday under the police escort.