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Security tightened as new armed groups emerge in Mon State

HURFOM: A number of new armed groups have attacked the military council and its bureaucracy

over the  past few months in Mon State.  In response the military council has tightened its security efforts.

The new armed groups include the  Mon People’s Defense Force (MPDF), the Ye People’s Defense Force (YPDF), the Mon State Defense Force (MSDF) and a Ye Special Task Force (YSTF).  Each of these armed groups is new, and targeting their attacks on the military council and some of their business operations.

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Villagers in Southern Ye extorted for 20 million Kyat

HURFOM: Villagers from Kyone Nyae village, Southern Ye, Mon State were extorted for approximately 20 million Kyat by an unknown Mon armed group, earlier this week, reported. 

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People in the NMSP controlled area receive first vaccinations

HURFOM: In the second and third weeks of September, 2021, members and soldiers of the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and their family members, monks, and charity workers, staff of the various departments of the NMSP and villagers in the NMSP controlled area received  vaccinations for Covid-19.

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Junta to organize local militia to serve as reserve military force

HURFOM: The military junta has been in a security crisis since the coup, and  now are making plans to reinforce their ranks with local militia groups.

The military has been negotiating with village/ward administrators to upgrade local militia groups. Last month the junta attempted to persuade people to join local militia, but no one was willing to join. This led to a second attempt to pressure village Administrators to aid with recruitment efforts.

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Weekly update on situation in Karen, Mon & Dawei since the coup: (Third Week of September 2021)

HURFOM:

Tensions in HURFOM target areas are growing. The escalation of violence by the junta, combined with their exertion of control by intimidating and threatening civilians has isolated communities. The threats to everyday safety are growing exponentially. Young people in particular are at risk.

Maung Yin Min Khant, a 16-year-old boy living in Kadat Nge Htein Village in Loung lone Township in Tanintharyi Region, was shot to death by the junta security forces, who set up a camp at the village monastery, on the evening of September 17th. The targeting has forced many into hiding, but even then, their safety cannot be guaranteed. Two young civilians were abducted by junta Security Forces from their hiding places in Hpa-an this week. According to a witness, the two were affiliated with the Civil Disobedience Movement from a government department and had been in hiding since May. The soldiers and police brought them from Ward #6 to Taung Kalay prison. On September 17 at 1 PM, Ma Cho Cho Phyo, a 3rd-year student from Dawei University was arrested according to Dawei Students Union. The junta and security forces came to her house in Akani Village, Yebyu Township to arrest her brother. But he already escaped. The troops abducted her instead. Six students have been abducted, including a tutor from Dawei University, within this week, according to Dawei University students’ Union. The junta also abducted five youth from Shwe Myaing Thiri ward, Mawlamyine, Mon State on September 18th. The reason for the arrest remains unknown.

The recent armed conflicts between the Junta Forces and PDF created approximately 1,200 IDPs in Tanintharyi Region. Residents have been forced to flee from Kyae-Zu-Daw, Sar-Khae, and Pane-Nae-Taung villages since last month. According to a source who works for a food aid group in Dawei Region, most of them are still terrified to return home: “In some areas, like eastern Palaw Township, people have started to face starvation,” said a source. “We heard that some aid groups are trying to reach out to us to help, but the Burma Tatmadaw battalions are blocking them,” a Karen National Union member said.

Locals fear returning home because the tactics by the Burmese Army, which include arresting and conscripting villagers are prevalent as military tensions increase in Mon State. HURFOM has documented dozens of cases of civilians being arbitrarily detained and taken to unknown locations. According to residents, the military has occupied more and more troops in most wards and quarters in Hpa-an, Karen State as more troops are deployed with armed ex-military servants and militia forces in nearly every quarter in town, one local source said: “The Karen State Junta Administrators said they want to provide ‘Security’ for residents. However, we feel more unsafe living with them. the more they are deploying in the areas, the more chance of human rights abuses will occur,” A 38-year-old ethnic Karen from Hpa-an expressed.

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Locals face tougher livelihood as electricity fees on the rise

HURFOM: The political crisis and COVID-19 has resulted in many people losing their jobs and being left with no income. At the same time, commodity prices have been rising on a near daily basis. For those at the bottom rungs of the economy life has become harsh.

People in Ye who do not have access to electricity provided by the State,  have to buy it from private companies at a high price. As of September,  these companies have decided to increase their fees.

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New Mon armed group emerges in Southern Ye: Villagers fear extortion

HURFOM: According to the local sources, a new Mon armed group, calling itself the “Mon Land Defense Army”  has emerged around Kyone Ka Nyar village, Southern Ye Township, Mon State.

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New Briefing Paper by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland Condemns Privacy Violations & Increased Surveillance by the Junta

HURFOM: A new briefing paper by the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM), “We have lost our private sphere:” the infringement of privacy rights under the military junta in Mon State, Karen State and Tanintharyi region, finds civilian rights to privacy have been eroded by the power-seeking junta. Since the attempted coup on 1 February, the regime has taken steps to extend their authority into civilian homes and their personal devices. Through premeditated amendments to Burma’s legal framework, the junta has endeavored to justify their assault on fundamental privacy rights.

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Locals fear a return of Burmese army tactics of arresting and conscripting villagers

HURFOM: The Burmese army has a long history of forcefully conscripting villagers to be used as a human shield and serve as unpaid labourers.  International bodies and non-governmental bodies have documented these practices dating back to the era when the State Law and Order Restoration Council ruled Burma. 

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Security forces frightened locals during search for PDF members in Ye

HURFOM: On September 12, 2021, about 50 soldiers in  four military trucks searched houses in Tha Main Baran Street (between Thiri Nandar and Thiri Marlar Streets) in Ye, Mon State.

The incident frightened home owners and neighbours.

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