Caption-A house which was hit and destroyed by heavy shell.
Locals said they are living in fear due to the frequent incidents like landmine explosions, ambush attacks and heavy shelling in Thaton District of Mon State.
There are frequent incidents such as landmine explosions in the plantations and roads and ambush attacks on cars and motorbikes and heavy shelling in the villages in Bilin, Thaton and Kyaikto Townships in Thaton District.
At night on 5 November, three children aged 13 including Maung Win Thike Tun who went to the field in the east of Kinmonchone village in Thaton Township to cut grass for cow feed as they stepped on a landmine.
Due to these incidents, the locals are no longer able to work on the plantations. Some people have left the farm business and switched to other jobs, according to local residents in Kyaikto.
“I have a plantation. But I don’t dare to go there. I was afraid of stepping on a landmine while going to my plantation. I have to abandon my plantation. I have to work at random jobs. Some people don’t dare to stay. So, they hire and live in other people’s farm guard tents,” a local from Kyaikto said.
Locals said that due to the local conflicts, the livelihood of the local people has become difficult as they are unable to work properly.
Similarly, local residents in Ye Township, where martial law has been declared, are worried as the military council is firing heavy weapons, according to local residents.
“We have to live in fear. I don’t know in advance when the army will shoot. So, I stay alert. I’m worried because it’s shooting so close to me,” a local from Kyonelaung village in Ye Township said.
Fighting continues between the military council and joint People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) in Ye, Thaton, Bilin and Kyaikto Townships where the PDFs are strong.
Landmine explosions, ambush attacks and heavy shelling have resulted in civilian casualties in Ye, Thaton, Bilin and Kyaikto Townships.
