FBR REPORT: TWO
VILLAGERS SHOT DEAD AND MORE THAN 400 FLEE BURMA ARMY ATTACKS IN WESTERN
KAREN STATE
Karen State, Burma
15 March, 2009
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
Two villagers in western Karen State have recently
been shot dead by the Burma Army as it continues its drive to
dominate and control the people of Karen State.
PLEASE NOTE: This report contains
graphic images.
Saw Mu Ra Hai. Shot dead in January.
Map of Area Recently Under Attack
MONE TOWNSHIP
On January 17, 2009, Saw Cho Phyo from Aung Soe Moe village, western Karen
State, was shot dead while he was on his way to farm his crops. A week later
on January 24, Saw Mu Ra Hai, 25, from Saw Ki village was shot dead.
On February 6, the Burma Army fired mortars on the villages of Yu Lo and Play
Hsa Lo, wounding four villagers from Yu Lo. On the same day, Saw Maung Kya,
23, from Hsaw Mi Lu village, stepped on a Burma Army landmine at Blah Lay Ko
and died immediately from his injuries. The Burma Army often plants landmines
around villages it has attacked in a bid to stop villagers from returning to
live there or collect their possessions.
KYAUK KYI (LER DOH) TOWNSHIP
Villagers in hiding site in Kyauk Kyi Township
In Kyauk Kyi Township, just south of Mone Township, the Burma Army moved into
the vicinity of Mu Kee, an area with many IDPs, leading them to fear a fresh
attack. Between February 11 and 13, two battalions of Burma Army troops did
attack in the Kyauk Kyi area, forcing nearly 300 villagers from Keh Der, Ta
Kaw Der and Thaw Nge Der villages to flee to the jungle. They returned to their
homes, but remained constantly prepared to flee further attacks.
A further patrol on February 15 in Kwi Lah village area at Ka Dee Mu Der and
Hti Baw Hta forced these 300 and a further 142 people into hiding. The troops
stayed in the area for a few days, searching for the IDPs and their belongings,
causing further hardship to the villagers who had already fled numerous attacks.
Home burned by down by the Burma Army
Karen home in forced relocation site
Nathagwin bridge
: Burma Army camp next to Nathagwin bridge
:Teams giving medical treatment in Hsaw Hti Township
Medics treating sick villagers in Hsaw Hti Township
The Free Burma Ranger’s (FBR) mission is to provide hope, help and
love to internally displaced people inside Burma, regardless of ethnicity
or religion. Using a network of indigenous field teams, FBR reports on human
rights abuses, casualties and the humanitarian needs of people who are under
the oppression of the Burma Army. FBR provides medical, spiritual and educational
resources for IDP communities as they struggle to survive Burmese military
attacks.
