Four school children were reportedly killed in the military council’s bombardment of a school in the western part of Demoso Township in Karenni (Kayah) State on 5 February, a middle school teacher who witnessed the incident said.
“Four children died on the spot. Nine others were seriously wounded,” she said.
Many children were wounded. It is a middle school where more than 200 students are attending, she continued.
The teacher said that the students and teachers were unable to run away in time due to the rapid shooting.
The bombardment totally destroyed the entire school building.
At around 9:30 am on 5 February, the military council bombarded the school with a jet fighter. Those killed in the incident are male students, local residents said.
“This morning, the jet figther flew over the area. It did not carry out bombardment immediately. The bombardment could be heard all over Demoso. It was very loud. They have no humanity. They (military council) conducted targeted bombardment of the school where the children were studying. I have heard that four children were killed. I can’t say anything other than being sad and angry,” a local man in the western part of Demoso Township said.
“It amounts to committing the crime. It is really a big crime as they indiscriminately shoot innocent children. I sincerely apologize to them to avoid doing this to such innocent children. Their parents are heartbroken. Even though I am not a parent as one who teaches, I am very heartbroken. I feel embittered. Don’t do this in the future. I would like to call on relevant authorities to take effective action against those who committed it. They are innocent children,” she said.
On 5 February, the military council bombarded a high school in Demoso Township with jet fighters, resulting in no casualties.
On the same day, the military council bombarded three places in the western part of Demoso Township, local residents said.
On 12 January, the military council carried out bombardment near Dawtamange village in Demoso Township without any ground battle, killing a local man.
During one month and five days this year, the military council’s airstrikes killed five civilians. Of them, four victims were children.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times