November 22, 2022
Since October till date, more than 30 villages in southern Kawkareik Township have faced mobile network blackouts, according to locals.
“Kyeik village in the southern part of Kawkareik Township started facing phone line blackouts. Since October 29, almost all villages in southern Kawkareik Township have faced blackouts. Only the villages near the town have access to phone lines. More than 30 villages face mobile phone blackouts,” a local from Lanphar village in southern part of Kawkareik Township told the KIC.
A Lanphar local who goes to Kawkareik to buy goods told the KIC: “Today, I hear the sounds of artillery shells. I can ask for information about the route if I have access to the phone line. Due to the prolonged blackout, I have to go to Kawkareik in fear.”
There are frequent clashes between the military council and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in southern Kawkareik Township. Phone blackouts are linked to the fact that mobile operators are unable to refill fuel for machineries running at mobile towers, according to locals.
Sent by KIC