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#317 Artillery Battalion soldiers badly beat villager from Kone Paw Yaw Thit

HURFOM: On January 23, 3023, a 43-year-old villager from Kone Paw Yaw Thit village, in Ye Township, Mon State was badly beaten by soldiers from the  #317 Artillery Battalion.

On January 21, 2023, soldiers from the battalion were attacked by the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) and five soldiers were killed in the attack.

“After (soldiers from) the artillery battalion were attacked, there was a  ban on villagers going to the plantation to tap rubber trees. Approximately a  week after the ban was announced, the victim asked the soldiers if he could go to the plantation for work. Just for asking the question, the soldiers covered his face and beat him. Then they dragged him to the battalion and another five or six soldiers beat him again. They hit him with the butt of their guns. They kicked and punched him,” said a witness from Southern Ye Township.

His wife, the village Administrator and some villagers all went to the battalion and requested the soldiers release him. After interrogating him and checking his phone, the soldiers released him.

“His wife went to the battalion first. But the soldiers didn’t allow her to meet with her husband. Only after the Administrator had apologized to the soldiers, was it possible they could meet each other. Then the soldiers threatened both husband and wife, to not to tell what happened,” said the witness.

Weekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region

Fourth Week of January 2023

HURFOM: As the first month of the year 2023 comes to an end, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) has continued to document the military junta’s impunity. This is evident in the widespread crimes which are routinely perpetrated against civilians. There is no reliable rule of law in Burma which would hold the soldiers behind the attacks to account. Villagers across Southeastern Burma are uncertain about their futures because they are surrounded by mass instability. The impacts of relentless civil war have led to a severe economic climate that has destroyed employment opportunities. Families forced to flee live in remote areas with their lives at risk daily as the junta increases their presence. Food, medicine, and shelter remain urgent for those living through crises on multiple fronts.

The conflict has driven people to the Thai border desperately for safety. On January 23, at 10 PM, in Three Pagodas Pass, residents fled to Thailand because combat had resumed. About eighty households left for Thailand during the reporting period. The majority have some documents or residence and work permits on the Thai side.  An hour and a half later, four government offices, including the General Administration Department office, were set on fire, according to HURFOM reporters. Fighting has continued to intensify, leaving locals worried about the junta’s use of airstrikes to suppress the joint armed forces.

“I’m terrified that the junta will use their airplanes to fire at us. If they use the jets, we will all be targets and in great danger. There’s nowhere to run. In our lifetimes, we have been forced to flee many times,” said a 50-year-old resident.

According to ground reports, about 400 families in Kyone Dow, Kanni, Thayettaw and Kaw Kyaik villages, Kawkareik, Karen State,  have been forced to flee to safer areas due to the indiscriminate firing of the junta’s heavy weapons into the villages. Many residents said the situation was intolerable as the Light Infantry Battalion 545 and 546 armed forces fired heavy weapons into their villages.

“Artillery shells dropped near my residence three times, and there was no time to collect anything. My husband managed to move the children. We started running away. It’s challenging because we left all the food and things in my village. Meanwhile, the monastery is helping. In the long run, if we can’t go home, it will be difficult to survive and live.” a 37-year-old mother of three children said of the tense situation.

There are 800 houses in Tharataw Village. A total of 4,000 people live there. A network fieldwork team explained that it is difficult to collect a needs assessment because everyone is fleeing. 

The military junta continues to target opposition forces. The people have overwhelmingly rejected the failed coup and remain active in their calls for the military to be dismantled. In response, the Burma Army has not hesitated to silence its critics violently.  At least five local civilians have been arbitrarily abducted by the secret police and military forces in the last five days in Thayet Chaung Township Dawei, according to families and friends of the detainees. On January 20, 2023, police stopped a minibus with fourteen passengers and abducted the driver, Ko Su Kan Nge, age 35, by accusing him of being associated with the local armed groups:

“The driver and the minibus owner were interrogated and arrested on the road to Dawei. The troops questioned the passengers and let them go later. It seems like they are targeting supporters of the Civil Disobedience Movement with informers and tracking them,” said a local.

Arbitrary killings remain a source of fear for many as the junta indiscriminately attacks civilians. A 60-year-old resident of Pala, who has been missing since January 12, was shot, and killed in Pala Township, Myeik District, southern Tanintharyi Region. U Loon Khin had been missing since the evening of January 12. His family said he left for a job and never returned. Approximately eight people, including U Loon Khin, were shot dead in Pala Town in the last 12 months. No one has received justice.

Three young boys killed by landmine explosion in Thaton

HURFOM: On November 5, 2023, three young boys approximately 13 years of age,  from Kin Moon Chone village, Moe Kaung village track, Thaton Township, Mon State stepped on a landmine and all were killed by the explosion.

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More than 3,000 villagers flee from armed clash in Jone Doe

HURFOM: Armed clashes between the Burmese army and the joint forces of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) have increased in Kan Ne village, nearby Jone Doe Town, Kaw Ka Rate Township, in Karen State since January 23, 2023. 

Houses have been burnt down and more than 3,000 villagers from Kan Ne, Tha Yet Taw, Kaw Kyike and Mi Ga Lone villages have fled  their homes.

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Burmese military launches artillery attack on villages nearby Jone Doe Town

HURFOM: Since January 24, 2023, the Burmese military has launched artillery attacks on villages nearby Jone Doe Town, Kaw Ka Rate Township, in Karen State.

Many houses have been burnt to the ground and villagers have fled the area.

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Kaw Bane villagers flee as junta tries to arrest “CDM activists”

HURFOM: After the Karen National Liberation Army and the People’s Defense Force jointly attacked the police station in Kaw Bane village, Kaw Ka Rate Township, in Karen State on January 16, 2023, the Burmese military responded. 

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Artillery attack by #317 battalion injures two villagers

HURFOM: On January 20, 2023, the #317 Artillery Battalion based nearby Kone Paw Yaw Thit and Maw Ka Nin villages, Ye Township, in Mon State launched an artillery attack on a village  located to the east of the Mawlamyine – Ye highway.

The attack injured two villagers, according to a local social worker.

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Tin Yu villagers suffer from armed clashes

HURFOM: At about 06:30 am on January 18, 2023, the Ye Guerrilla Force (YGF) and other joint forces attacked the police station in Tin Yu village, Thanbyuzayat Township, in Mon State. During the attack about seven houses were damaged and some villagers, including elderly persons, were injured.

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Weekly Overview: Human Rights Situation in Mon State, Karen State, and Tanintharyi Region

Third Week of January 2023

HURFOM: As the year’s first month comes to a close, the Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) continues to observe and document worrying human rights violations across Southeastern Burma. Thousands have been forced to flee their villages as conflict rages, forcing them to seek safety. HURFOM remains seriously considered for their safety and well-being. Our calls to the international community remain steadfast in calling for change and accountability. The internal structures for law and governance inside Burma cannot be trusted, as the military junta has hijacked all prospects for peace. Global justice pathways and consequences for the military junta are the only possible steps forward.

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Three people killed in Yebyu

HURFOM: In Yebyu Township, Tenasserim Division, three people were killed on January 11, 2023, local sources reported HURFOM.

One victim was known as  U Kyaw Win.  He was believed to be  an informer to the military junta, and he assisted with the election process run by the junta.

“U Kyaw Win is the leader of the Pyu Saw Htee and he was armed by the junta. He also threatened villagers. He informed the military of particular villagers to arrest.  He also helped in  the election process. That’s why he was killed,” said a villager.

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