The displaced people of Karenni refugee camp No. 1, which has been opened in Thailand for more than 20 years, said that they are worried due to the military council’s surveillance aircraft and aerial bombardments along the border of Thailand and Karenni State in recent months.
A refugee from Karenni IDP camp, who has dug the bunker said: “We have to dig the bunkers as we have no safety. I dig it as protection.”
On 12 July, the military council bombarded Dawnoeku refugee camp on the Thai-Karenni border, which is only five kilometers away from the Karenni refugee camp.
The refugees in the camp are worried due to the widespread rumour that the Karenni Refugee Camp No. 1, which is close to the area, may also be targeted. Some of the refugees have dug bunkers under their homes as they are fearful.
Naw Mu Thaw, chair of the management committee of the Karenni refugee camp said: “What I heard is that some people in the ward are worried and are digging bunkers. We don’t know exactly how many people have dug the bunkers. When I asked heads of the ward, some of them actually dig shelters. They are worried. The planes always come. The sounds of weapons were heard from the nearby areas. Some of them ran away.”
The military council is carrying out the reinforcement of troops and the supply of rations at the camps on the Thai-Karenni border, by using helicopters and military aircrafts. In addition, the military council is carrying out aerial bombardments of the military hill camps of the Karenni defense forces on the border, according to locals.
There is little possibility that the military council troops will target it as Karenni refugee camp No. 1 is located within the border of Thailand, Khu Taw Reh S, Judicial Minister for the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) said.
“The people are so afraid before others have done nothing yet. They may die from fear. According to the military’s agenda, they will not happen in the other country,” he said.
According to camp officials, there are two Karenni refugee camps on the Thai-Karenni border, with a population of over 10,000.
In 1997-1998, Karenni Refugee Camp No. 1 and some villages in Thailand were bombarded by the military council, and houses were damaged, according to the refugees of the camp.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times.