Local residents from several villages in Kyaikto Township, Thaton District, Mon State, under the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 1 Territory, are still afraid to return to their homes, fearing renewed fighting from military junta’s troop movements in the area, according to sources.
Since 30 October, when a junta column of over 200 soldiers entered villages in Kyaikto Township, more than 5,000 residents from 17 villages across three village tracts – Pyin Ka Toe Kone, Win Ka Law, and Kyauk Hpyar – were forced to flee their homes.
Although the junta troops withdrew to Thein Za Yat town on 4 November, and while residents from four villages in Win Ka Law village tract and nine villages in Kyauk Hpyar village tract have returned home, over 1,000 residents from four villages in Pyin Ka Toe Kone village tract still dare not return, according to a villager.
“Not all of us from Pyin Ka Toe Kone village tract dare to return home yet. Only one man from each household goes back to check on their homes occasionally, but they quickly return because it’s not safe to stay. They’re afraid of fighting breaking out. Some people are staying in available spaces in our farmland areas, while others have fled to Zee Taw and Kan Ni villages. More people have fled toward Zee Taw,” the villager said.
Padoh Saw Aye Naing, Secretary of the KNU Thaton District, explained that local people are particularly fearful this time because the junta forces entered areas they rarely visited before.
The KNU provided necessary accommodation, food, and medicine to the displaced residents during the six-day period when they were forced to flee due to the junta troop movements, according to Padoh Saw Aye Naing.
“People from the Chaw Tho Khee (Kyauk Hpyar) area are more afraid. When Bamar soldiers arrived in areas they had never been before, everyone fled. They returned once the soldiers left. The KNU Kyaikto Township office provided security and necessary assistance during their displacement,” said Padoh Saw Aye Naing.
The junta column consisted of battalions under Light Infantry Division 44 based in Kyaikto town.
According to military ground sources, there were clashes between these forces and joint Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) forces during the operation.
Sent by KIC.
