December 24 (NMG): A medic from Mae Tao Clinic, run by Dr Cynthia Maung in Mae Sot, was kidnapped by Burmese Military Intelligence (MI) and interrogated for two days and two nights, Myo Min Oat who was just released from the hands of MI and got back to Mae Sot on 19 December said.

Burmese MIs who disguised themselves as Thai immigration officials in civilian dress kidnapped the medic on December 12 near the clinic on the outskirt of Mae Sod.

“A blue pick up car stopped near by me. They call me in Thai language Marni marni (Come here). They searched me and dragged me into the cab. Then I came to notice that I was arrested,” Myo Min Oat said.

Consequently, Myo Min Oat was brought to Myawaddy town of Burma opposite to Mae Sod.

“I could not able to move my body. At the same time I know it is worthless to try to escape. When I reached to Myawaddy, they put me into a dark room, a dark prison cell,” he explained.

“They arrested and then released me only at night times. It was one day and one night they interrogated me. Then, they asked me questions one more day. Then they released me,” Myo Min Oat said.

The medic was brought to Pa-an town situated inside Burma after two days interrogation in Myawaddy, said the father of the abducted medic U Tin Oo, a former member of National League for Democracy- Liberated Area.

“My son was asked whether is his father working for NLD Liberated Area, is his father’s name U Tin Oo and whether is he working for Maedaw Clinic,” U Tin Oo said.

Dr Synthia Maung who is anticipating the possible arrests of her medics commented “I had to suggest my medics not to go out alone if they don’t have any ID card. If they go out alone and were arrested, it is difficult to know on time. On the other hand, there are a lot of arrests in Mae Sot by Thai immigration officials. Sometimes they raided homes. So, I warned those who have no ID card not to go out alone.”

Last year, a senior medic from Dr Cynthia's clinic, Maung Maung was also kidnapped, brought to Myawaddy and threatened by Burmese military intelligence.

Due to newly adopted foreign workers policy in Thailand, the health workers are facing legal status problem though Thai authorities previously issued the work permits for medics and health workers from Mae Tao clinic.

However, the abducted medic believes that there is no involvement of Thai authority in his kidnapping case.

Dr. Cynthia's Mae Tao clinic helps treating the patients of Burmese migrant workers and refugees at Mae Sot, a border town situated northwest of Thailand opposite Myawaddy in Burma.