May 5th, 2022
Around 50 of 100 villagers being detained by the Border Guard Force (BGF) Battalion-1014, are taken to the military council’s Wintarpan and Lay Kay military camps as porters, together with reinforcements, according to locals.
On May 1st, BGF-Battalion-1014 led by Bo Tin Win abducted around 100 people from eight villages on Wahbotaw-Kamamaung Road in the Brigade-1 of the Karen National Union (KNU) on the west bank of Than Lwin River.
The people have to pay Ks-one million for a man and Ks-2 million for a youth in return for the release of the detainees. The BGF sent around 50 detainees who cannot afford to pay money, to Wintarpan and Lay Kay. We lost contact with them. The remaining people returned to their villages, the villager from Waepyan told the KIC.
On the morning of May 1st, six vehicles loaded with around 50 members from No.1014 Battalion of the BGF blocked the entry and exit of the roads in Myaing, Konetangyi, Waepyanchaungwa, Phayaseik, Waepyan, Paypinseik, Meiktila and Mizine villages on the west bank of Than Lwin River. They fired warning shots and abducted the villagers and youths for no apparent reason.
At present, the troops led by Bo Tin Win are carrying out inspections at the gates in Paybinseik, Waepyan village, Shwegwan on other bank of Than Lwin and Kaw Lone Island on the middle of Than Lwin River.
Youths have no hiding places as the BGF are in hot pursuit of them, Waepyan locals said. The BGF members continue to carry out inspections and arrests in the areas.
Although there is no fighting in the villages, the villagers have gone into hiding due to the fear that they may face forced arrest, recruitment and use of porters. There are growing concerns over the life-threatening risks, the locals said.
More than 10,000 civilians from more than 30 villages are hiding due to the intense fighting between the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the military council troops near the military camps based in Wintarpan, Lay Kay, Peinnaetaw and Ingapo villages.
In late April and May, the military abducted and used some villagers as porters. In the wake of the coup, the BGF recruited some villagers as the new soldiers. The families have lost contact with the detainees, according to locals.
Sent by the KIC.