An interview with a displaced youth from Pazigyi village in Kanbalu Township
The junta air force attacked on a crowd of people gathering for the opening of a People’s Security Forces and donation in Pazigyi village in Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region, on 11 April, first with fighter jets and again with Mi 35 combat helicopters. As a result of the air attacks, 25 people under the age of 14, five people between the ages of 14 and 18; 11 children unatrributable to age groups, and 128 people over the age of 18 were killed, according to the National Unity Government (NUG).
Also on 20 April, ground troops of the Myanmar Army advanced into Pazigyi and neighboring villages and set fire to them as the air force dropped two bombs again with a fighter jets. Currently, thousands of residents from villages including Pazigyi, Laydwinsin, Mezataw, Ywartharyar, Htantaw, Chaungthar and Chaungmagyi have been forced to flee to safety. The junta army suffered heavy casualties during the clashes with local defense forces on 22 April, and it continued military advances into nearby villages.
In this interview with Shanni Voice, a 23-year-old displaced youth from Pazigyi village talked about the situation on the ground.
Q: Can you tell us about your experience during the military council’s air attacks on Pazigyi village?
A: The junta’s fighter jets attacked our village with 500-lb bombs at around 7:45 am on 11 April. Shortly after, Mi 35 combat helicopters arrived and fired on the area, resulting in many casualties. We had to collect and cremate the bodies of the victims about half an hour after the attack. At that time, most of the villagers had fled to safety.
Q: How are you assisting them with relief efforts?
A: When we arrived, we started taking pictures of the scene, but the smell of the blood made it difficult to continue. We had to hold our breath to avoid vomiting. The sights we witnessed were truly horrifying. After that, we assisted with the cremation of the bodies.
Q: How did the tragedy affect the residents of Pazigyi village?
A: One of my acquaintances was killed in the air strike. My elder brother, two elder cousin brothers, one cousin sister, two nieces and a younger brother from my uncle’s side were also killed. After that incident, they became so afraid that they stopped using lights at night. If they see a light, they will come and bomb the place we are currently taking shelter
Q: We heard the junta army is continuing their advance and burning of nearby villages. What is the situation on the ground?
A: They have just set fire to the neighboring village of Htantaw, as well as to Chaungthar and other villages. Fighting is ongoing between the defense forces, led by the leadership level, and the junta army.
Q: How are residents neighboring villages, including Pazigyi, fleeing the fighting?
A: They have been advancing for nearly a week now, since April 19-20. They bombed Pazigyi again at around 2 pm on April 20 and conducted air attacks on the southern part of the village with fighter jets, ultimately setting it on fire. Currently, displaced people are doing their best to hide from the attackers, as they are scared to death that they might come again. Some are even refraining from lighting a fire at night. The displaced individuals are seeking assistance from nearby villages and are hiding in the farthest possible location from Pazigyi.
Q: How many displaced people are there?
A: I think there are at least 10,000 of them. They are not only from Pazigyi but from other nearby villages too.
Q: What kinds of difficulties are the displaced facing now?
A: Right now, their biggest difficulty is to get enough water in the scorching summer heat. Some people need food. It’s tough to describe their situation, but many of them are facing significant challenges.
Q: What kind of help do the displaced people need?
A: They need a lot of help. Their biggest need is food. Some of them have been psychologically affected by this incident. Some of them have even gone insane. One grandmother I know has lost all of her family members in the air strike, except for her grandchildren. Another woman I know lost her two sons and a daughter in the tragedy. She had high hopes for their education. But now they are devastated. One woman is left with only her son, and she won’t let him out of her sight.
Q: How many such people are there?
A: There many such people here. As far as I know, there are at least 4, 5, or 6 of them.
Q: What is your call to the international community regarding the airstrike carried out by the military council that resulted in a massacre?
A: We need a lot of help. I want them to give us significant assistance. There’s no way we can counter the junta’s air power. For that, we need a lot of international help. I want them to do more than just condemn. I want them to impose sanctions on countries that are supplying weapons to the Myanmar junta.
Sent by Shanni Voice