BGF forced 9 villages to relocate to Myaing Gyi Ngu

September 1, 2011

31.august 2011 KIC
Border Guard Force based in Myaing Gyi Ngu area has ordered 9 villages in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State to relocate into Myaing Gyi Ngu area on mid of August, according to DKBA sources in the area.
BGF advisory board members Saw Pha Nwee and Saw Htun Hlaing issued an order since the previous week to relocate 9 villages of surrounding areas into Myaing Gyi Ngu village. The order include Htee La Nae, Ta Moh Ya, Ma Ae’, Yaw Poh Hta, Pu Hsay, Tha Kwi Kla, Htee Law Thi Hta, Pway Poe Kla and Meh Poh Kla villages.
An officer from DKBA told Karen News that villagers are in chaos.
“The order was given by Captain Pha Nwee and Maung Htun Hlaing. The situation has been chaotic and villagers dare not stay in their village. Villages have been bombarded with artillery shells. Villagers are afraid to stay in the village and many of them have moved out but some still copes with the hardship and continue staying in the village.”
The nine villages estimated to have over 800 households and because of the plea by village leaders, they are lucky to have permission to go back to look after their farms, orchards, plantations and livestock such as buffalos, oxen and cows.
The reason for BGF in moving these villages is due to intensive operations of DKBA and KNLA troops in the area. According to a local KNLA officer from Brigade 7, their combine forces had stopped operation and retreat from the area hoping to release pressure of GBF on villagers and  in order for villagers to be able to come back in their villages.
The officer said.
“We have no more operation in that area. Our troops retreated otherwise as villagers are forced to relocate, their crops will be destroyed or eaten by buffalos and cows. That’s why we withdrew from the area.”
Since late July, the fighting between a breakaway Border Guard Force faction and a group under the control of the Burma Army drove hundreds of villagers from their homes. BGF have taken up high positions and randomly fires mortars into these villages area where it has injured some villagers and the schools that were closed due to the fighting haven’t been able to reopen yet.