An interview with U Aye Lwin, administrative head of Lay Kay Kaw Myo Thit, about IDP resettlement in the town now free of junta presence
Since late 2021 after the miliary coup, residents of the Lay Kay Kaw area have been forced to flee their homes due to ongoing conflicts between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and military junta forces, as well as artillery shelling by the junta troops. Many remain displaced to this day.
However, on 17 October, KNLA and allied forces seized full control of the junta’s camp at Swei Taw Kone camp near Lay Kay Kaw Myo Thit, effectively making the Lay Kay Kaw a junta-free area.
Given these developments, Karen Information Center (KIC) interviewed U Aye Lwin, the administrative head of Lay Kay Kaw Myo Thit, to learn more about the current situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) returning home and how the local administration is handling the resettlement process.
Q: Can you tell us about the current situation of local residents after the allied forces captured the Swei Taw Kone hilltop camp from the military council?
A: Currently, it has become a military-free area for the villagers. Although this is the case, we are still negotiating with the KNU’s administrative department. After coordinating with the relevant organizations, we will discuss how to resettle the villagers. At the moment, we haven’t allowed any villagers to return yet. After that, we’ll do things like clearing grass and allowing people to return.
Q: What is the will of the villagers?
A: They want to return as soon as possible. It’s more convenient to live in their own homes. In fact, staying in IDP camps outside means living in small huts we’ve built that can accommodate families of four or five people. So, we’d rather return to our own homes than stay in these small huts.
In our own homes, we have more space to breathe. That’s why the villagers want to return today if possible. But, at this time, the administration hasn’t given permission yet. After step-by-step negotiations and discussions, we will consider the resettlement plans.
Q: What are the main tasks that need to be done for villagers to resettle in the town?
A: For villagers to return now, we need to clear the grass and remove landmines. After completing these tasks, we will allow them to return. At the moment, we still fear airstrikes. The whole town is covered in grass, so there’s still a risk of landmines. We plan to let people return only after clearing these hazards and ensuring that it’s safe.
Q: How many households and what is the total population in this administrative area?
A: In Lay Kay Kaw town alone, there are over 2,000 households. In Mei Wah Khee, there are about 300 households. In the Ya Thayt Gu area, there are over 100 households. These are all areas where people cannot yet return to live. The total adds up to over 2,500 households.
Q: How concerning is the security situation for these 2,500+ people to return? What guarantees can your administration give for them?
A: As the administrative body, we can’t speak about current guarantees in terms of ground battles. As villagers, we have to live with our concerns. Will there be more fighting? Will there be more airstrikes? While there’s no guarantee of safety, it’s a matter of fate. We just want to return to our homes.
Q: During these past 3+ years, how much hardship and difficulty have the villagers faced while being displaced in a new location?
A: Their difficulties began with fleeing from Lay Kay Kaw. When they fled, they had to stay in IDP camps. Since then, they’ve faced many challenges with food, employment, and shelter. Despite these challenges, we seek help from relevant organizations to address these issues. There are various difficulties.
Just not being able to live in our own homes is a hardship. Although children should be in school, their education was suspended for about 3 years due to COVID-19. Then with the current fighting, they’ve lost another 3 years of schooling. The children have now been away from education for about 5 years. For education, they are continuing with KECD (Karen Education and Culture Department) education system here. We’ve faced extreme hardships. But, while it’s not completely over, we believe the days of happiness might be coming soon.
Q: As an administrative official of this town, how do you feel about the area becoming military-free after more than 3 years of displacement?
A: Since this was a peace zone, we lived without worry, thinking there wouldn’t be any fighting. Then on 15 December 2021, fighting started here. When it happened, we had to flee in fear. Although we had assumed fighting couldn’t happen here, when it did, we had no choice but to run. Now it’s been 2 years and 10 months since we fled from this place.
Q: As an administrative official, what message would you like to share with the villagers?
A: We are trying our best to enable people to return as soon as possible. We want villagers to understand our administrative side as well. The reason we’re not allowing returns yet is because we’re not confident about security, we need to clear grass from the gravel roads, and we need to clear landmines. I want to tell all our townspeople to ease their longing for Lay Kay Kaw a bit, as we will be able to return within the coming days.
Sent by KIC.
