A Shan Buddhist monk and a man who were helping internally displaced persons (IDPs) were shot and killed near Loi Paw village in Pekon Township, southern Shan State, according to displaced people.
Ven. Pein (officially named U Dhamma Thara) and his follower were shot at around 4pm on 4 March while traveling to Ohn Taing village in Pekon Township, displaced people said.
“The monk was shot eight times, and his follower sustained two gunshot wounds. We don’t yet know which group is responsible for the shooting. Both Karenni coalition forces and the Pa-O militia are active in that area,” said a displaced man with knowledge of the incident.
Venerable Pein, also known as U Dhamma Thara, was formerly a presiding monk at the Shan monastery in Pekon town. After fleeing to Loi Paw village in Pekon Township, he had been helping with IDP affairs for three years.
“The monk fled from Pekon to Loi Paw three years ago. He was a monk who actively helped IDPs,” the man said.
The slain Shan monk was 47 years old and had spent 8 years in the monkhood. The follower who was killed alongside him was around 40 years old and was also an IDP.
In addition, the murdered Shan monk was actively involved in IDP assistance and taught Shan literature. He was a monk whom displaced people relied on, said a woman from Pekon.
“The monk helped the displaced people. He was a monk IDPs could depend on. He also taught Shan literature. He was a monk who served the Buddhism,” she said.
Although the Shan monk and his follower had no conflicts with any organization, those close to the monk believe the shooting was a deliberate attempt to instigate religious and ethnic conflict.
“In this area, those who are viewed unfavorably are often killed. However, the monk got along with everyone. He had no enemies. This was deliberately done to create religious and ethnic division. It’s heartbreaking because he was a monk on whom the displaced people relied,” said a local woman from Pekon.
Following the incident, those who have been assisting IDPs have temporarily suspended their aid operations and are now moving around cautiously, according to a woman assisting IDPs.
“Some aid workers have now stopped their activities. We always have to remain vigilant. There’s concern every day. Helping IDPs doesn’t mean taking sides. We’re providing humanitarian assistance to people fleeing from fighting. If people who help IDPs are killed, who will continue to provide assistance?” she explained.
Displaced people caution that targeting and threatening the lives of humanitarian aid workers creates hardships for displaced people. They state that such actions by any armed group are reprehensible and urge that humanitarian assistance to IDPs be allowed to continue.
Regarding the killing of the Shan monk, the Pekon Township People’s Defense Force Battalion-2 (Battalion 1006) released a statement on 5 March denying any involvement in this oppressive act. They stated that they will work with the people’s administration teams to ensure justice is served and will take necessary actions as a battalion.
IDPs from Mobye and Pekon have been displaced to Pinlaung and other villages for more than three years and still cannot return home. They survive by taking whatever jobs they can find to make ends meet.
Currently, intense fighting continues along the Shan-Karenni border in Mobye and Pekon areas between military junta troops and Pa-O National Organization (PNO) and resistance coalition forces. The military junta is reportedly using heavy artillery and conducting airstrikes in these areas.
Sent by Shan News.