The Burma Army recently began attacks in Southwestern Karenni State, south of the Mawchi-Toungoo road, near the border of Toungoo District, Western Karen State. Burma Army battalions 421, 424, 426, and 428 are leading this sweep against villagers and internally displaced people (IDPs). The Burma Army controls two Karenni factions, which are helping them in this operation. The Karenni National Peoples’ Liberation Front (KNPLF) with 80 soldiers, and the Karenni National Solidarity Organization (KNSO), with 20 soldiers. All people from the villages of Hpa Poe and Geh Kaw Per are now in hiding and another 28 villages are threatened by these attacks. This southern area of Karenni State has been under almost constant attack since 1997. Burma Army forces have burned villages, forcefully relocated people, and laid landmines throughout this area. In 2003 alone, over 3,000 Karenni villagers were chased from their homes by a 10 battalion Burma Army attack in this same area. They are attempting to clear all Karenni villagers and IDPs out of this area for the following reasons:

1. To finish construction of the Mawchi-Toungoo road.
2. In preparation for the new dams to be built on the Salween River in Karenni State.
3. To stop all support for the Karenni pro-democracy resistance operating in this area.

The Karenni National Progress Party (KNPP) is the pro-democracy force representing the Karenni. They are now attempting to provide assistance to the villagers and IDPs currently under attack.

Ler Doh Township, Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State, Burma.

On Dec. 1, 2005, troops from Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 60, under the command of Corp. Po Zaw Wa, along with a militia entered Kyae Ja village. They demanded and received 1,200 kyat from each of the 40 families in the village.

The next day, on Dec. 2, 2005, troops from the same battalion, IB 60, under the command of Kain Maung Myit captured 3 villagers from Pay Htu village. After capturing the villagers they demanded money from each of them; 40,000 kyat from Saw Kyaw Kyaw, 50,000 kyat from Saw Mae Der, and 15,000 kyat from Saw Kya Htoo.

ENDS