Villagers fear going to monasteries due to presence of Burmese soldiers

August 15, 2023

HURFOM: The military junta is reinforcing and mobilizing its troop presence in villages between the Ye and Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State. Burmese soldiers are now being stationed at the monasteries in the villages.

Due to their presence, villagers feared going to the monasteries during the three months of special religious events.

“When entering the village, Burmese soldiers always stay at the monastery. Now, there are about 50 or 60 soldiers. They’re cooking there, and patrolling the village at night. As they are in the monastery, the villagers dare not go to the monastery to keep the Sabbath,” said a man from a village in Southern Ye Township.

Due to the heavy presence of Burmese troops, villagers fearing the possibility of armed clashes fled from their villages.

“At the moment, Burmese soldiers have reached our village. The villagers who have friends and relatives in the cities have moved to Mawlamyine, Mudon and Thanbyuzayat. Lots of our neighbors moved to Thanbyuzayat. Our village has become a front line, we fear every (armed) group. If another armed clash breaks out, there will be shooting and artillery attacks. We, the villagers, are the ones to suffer,” said a local man from the Northern Thanbyuzayat Township.

After revolutionary forces announced they now control the Ye-Thanbyuzayat Highway Road and will no longer stop and check vehicles, the military junta reinforced its troop presence in the area, which has led to more tension.

Written by Modinator · Filed Under News