A civilian was fatally hit by artillery shells fired by military council troops in the eastern part of Demoso Township in Karenni (Kayah) State, according to social workers.
The civilian from Dawpoesi village in Sanpya 6-Mile Village tract in Demoso Township came under artillery fire from the regime’s regional command centre in Loikaw at around 11 pm on Dec. 13 and was fatally hit, social workers said.
“Yesterday he was coming back from another village and before he could get off his motorcycle, the artillery shell fell directly on him and he was killed on the spot. Big shrapnel was stuck in his chest. His motorcycle was completely damaged,” said a 38-year-old woman from Dawpoesi village
The victim was a 30-year-old man from an IDP camp in Hteehpoekaloe village. After the man’s death, two more shells also hit the village.
The social workers said the military council troops deliberately fired artillery at Dawpoesi village, although there was no fighting at the time.
“They shelled the areas around 5-Mile, 6-Mile and Dawpoesi villages with heavy weapons yesterday (December 13). I’m not sure if there was any fighting. We heard continuous artillery fire. I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep because I was shivering,” said a 25-year-old woman from Konethar village.
Regime troops had often fired artillery fire indiscriminately at the Demoso Township for no apparent reason. On August 17, their artillery shells hit Hteehpoekaloe village, injuring seven civilians and damaging two houses.
In Karenni state, at least 35 civilians were killed and five injured between November and December 14, according to social workers. Among the injured are six underage children, one of whom succumbed to his injuries, according to people helping IDPs in the region.
Sent by NMG.