After the inspection, the man was arrested while the other two workers were released. According to local accounts, the incident appeared to target him because of his Kachin ethnicity and religion. Following the arrest, the Medical Action Myanmar (MAM) organization reportedly requested assistance from the Peacetalk Creation Group (PCG) and appealed to Kachin State authorities, including the Chief Minister, Northern Regional Military Command commander Major General Aung Zaw Htwe, and Security and Border Affairs Minister Colonel Kyaw Thu Ya, asking for his release. His wife also submitted letters and requests for help. A report was also sent to the UNOCHA office in Myitkyina. Despite the notifications, the Chief Minister reportedly told family members that he did not know about the case or the detainee's whereabouts. His wife said she also visited checkpoints and military units near the Nan Paung chicken farm area, but officials denied having him in custody. A pastor from the Myitkyina Baptist Church, together with church members, reportedly met with the Chief Minister to seek information, but were told that none could be found. According to his wife, the victim and she had been married for more than five years and had a three-and-a-half-year-old son. She explained that he had worked for Medical Action Myanmar (MAM) since January 2015, serving in the Bhamo office, the Myitkyina office between July and December 2017, the Hpakant Township office from January 2018 to February 2023, and from March 2023 until the time of his arrest. In Kachin State, Major General Aung Zaw Htway, commander of the Northern Command, and Colonel Kyaw Thu Ra, Minister of Security and Border Affairs, together with military units operating in Hpakant Township, including Divisions 33, 77, and 99, and local commanders, reportedly conducted security operations with pro-military militia groups. During these operations, military forces frequently stopped, questioned, and arrested civilians in mining areas and residential wards. These incidents increased after heavy fighting near Mashi Ka prison around April 2–3, before the Thingyan festival, when the military reportedly suffered losses. Following the fighting, on April 14, 2026 (Thingyan 'New Year' festival day), security checks on civilians were intensified. Military forces reportedly blocked roads and set up checkpoints at several locations, including the Uru River bridge, Saing Taung exit road, Khin Group area, near the monastery in San Kywel village, and the road junction toward Phar Pyin and Maw Maung Layan. Civilians, vehicles, motorcycles, and phones were checked. 23 | "Inhumane Acts" by KHRW