Military junta troops have arrested about ten civilians during a raid in Launglon town in Dawei District, Tanintharyi Region, according to local sources.
The villagers reported that the army carried out the raid with over 100 soldiers in Launglon town at around 11 am on 19 July. They were ambushed by the People’s Defense Force (PDF) near Nyin Maw village.
The junta troops then arrested about ten residents of Nyin Maw village as human shields, the villagers said, adding that the junta troops also took motorcycles from the village to Longlon town.
A resident of Nyin Maw said, “The villagers are afraid and are hiding in the forests. There are no more people in the village. As it is raining continuously, they are struggling.”
He said that the family members are worried because they do not know what has happened to the villagers after their arrest.
According to sources, residents of Nyin Maw, Sit Pyea, Gawt Inn and nearby villages have started to flee to safety out of fear as junta troops advance.
Villagers say the junta troops may be conducting raids because the resistance forces in Launglon Township wanted to hold a Martyrs’ Day celebration, and that the number of casualties on both sides is not yet known.
Despite these raids by the junta, the Dawei District Strike Committee managed to organize a Martyrs’ Day celebration in a village in Launglon Township on the morning of 19 July.
Sent by NMG.