Displaced villagers from “Gyaing River” extorted by junta’s troops

October 14, 2024

HURFOM: Since April, 2024, there has been a military tension in the area of “Gyaing River” and the junta’s regiments based in Dhammasa and Ta Ra Nar villages, Kyikemayaw Township, Mon State and the 81^st light infantry battalion based in Zar Tha Pyin village, Kaw Ka Rate Township, Karen State have launched indiscriminate artillery attacks to residential area.

The indiscriminate artillery attacks have forced residents from Kaw Bane, Dhammasa, Than Ga Long, Ta Ra Nar, Kaw Pa Line and nearby villages to flee home.

The displaced villagers who have fled home with their packages were stopped by the junta’s troops who have stationed on Kyikemayaw-Mawlamyine Highway Road nearby Ta Ra Nar village and the troops extorted from 100,000 to 300.000 MMK from them.

“If you have packages, they stop and check you. Then, they extort you. The villagers who can pay the money are allowed to pass the gate. Those who can’t pay the money have to make a U-turn. They don’t allow them to pass the gate,” said a Ta Ra Nar resident.

The junta has also banned the villagers from traveling among villages in the area of “Gyaing River” and the local villagers are worrying about the possible armed clash.

“If battle breaks out in our village, we, the villagers who can’t pay the money to the soldiers, have to give up our lives without doing anything,” said a local woman.

There have been at least 30 causalities and more than 5,000 villagers had to flee home due to the armed clashes in the area of “Gyaing River” in Kyikemayaw Township, Mon State and Kaw Ka Rate Township, Karen State.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News