Military tensions in the Gyaing River area have displaced tens of thousands of people in the villages along the Ramawaddy road that connects Mon State to Karen State, according to the people helping the IDPs.
It has been nearly one month since civilians from Kawbein, Kawpauk, Dhammatha, Thankalaung, Taranar, Kawswe and Kawthut villages fled to safer places.
Mi Thuta Jaw, head of Humanitarian and Relief Department under the Mon State Federal Council (MSFC) said there are around 50,000 local residents who have fled to the town. They are in need of food and shelter due to the prolonged displacement.
“The people have to provide aid for the people. As donors get arrested and interrogated, they dare not to donate. The displaced people have started facing food and accommodation difficulties as long as the displaced period is prolonged, Mi Thuta Jaw said.
On 25 March, after the fall of Kawbein police station in Kawkareik Township in Karen State, Mon, Karen and PDF joint forces are active in Gyaing River area. Tension continues to mount as the military council is conducting offensives.
The junta’s constant bombings and shelling burned down more than 300 houses in Dhammatha village and houses in Kyunkone village and resulted in some civilian casualties.
Because of this situation, the villagers in the Gyaing River area, especially the elderly, women and children have fled their homes. They are taking refuge in monasteries and relatives’ houses in Chaungsone and other areas, including Mawlamyine.
Mi Thuta Jaw said: “The people who have lost home find it difficult to settle down. Those who have been waiting to return home have been sheltering for almost a month now. They are facing difficulties. Those who remain in the village seem to flee it. They heard sounds of weapons round the clock.”
Some men remain in the village to put out the fire in case of houses catch fire froms the junta’s shelling and aerial bombardments.
Since the surrender of Kawbein police station, the military council has deployed its troops from Khayone cave road on Ramawaddy road to Kawthut, Kawswe and Tarana villages. More than two military ships have been deployed in the river, locals said.
Currently, they are stationed in the monasteries and public buildings in the village as well as in the high-rise civilian homes.
A local resident trapped in the village said that the soldiers in the village have blocked many roads and are breaking into empty houses to steal properties.
“Soldiers break into every house in the village. Now we remain in Tarana. The people from Tarana have fled the village. Tarana police station is in operation. The junta has closed the roads. The houses are being looted by police and soldiers. On the morning of 20 April, they took two vehicles and all motorbikes,” the local said.
According to the list of the Humanitarian and Relief Department under the Mon State Federal Council, around 100,000 civilians in Kawbein, Dhammatha, Thankalaung, Tarana, Kawtswei and Kawthut village-tract have been displaced by over one-month-long fighting in Gyaing River area.
Sent by Than Lwin Times