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SAGAING DIVISION – The number of villages torched and destroyed by junta council troops in Khin U Township after the junta regime declared martial law in the township has reached 75 while the number of civilians displaced by the junta arson raids is now over 30,000.
In February 2023, two years since the military coup, the junta council declared martial law in 37 townships all over Myanmar and its troops continuously burned and destroyed the villages in Khin U Township, under the pretext of clearance mission, stated an official from Khin U True News Team.
“75 villages in Khin U Township have been burned since the coup and there are over 30,000 affected civilians. The number is continuing to rise. Mainly, the people are struggling in their daily lives and facing countless hardships,” said the official.
Khin U Township that comprises of a total of 174 villages had reportedly lost over 6,000 houses in 75 villages to junta arson raids following the military coup.
The more than 30,000 civilians affected by junta arson raids are currently taking shelter in makeshift tents made out of materials left intact in junta raids, at safe jungles out of reach of junta troops, village schools and monasteries, according to those assisting those civilians.
Over 4,000 of the 6,000 houses torched by junta troops are said to be from villages in Western Khin U and one affected civilian shared that they are facing difficulties acquiring food and shelters.
“We need help almost daily. As there are still junta offensives, we have to remain on the run. To earn our livings, we need to go to work but because we are out of job these days, we can only rely on donors. We can have only one meal per day and there are days we can’t even afford that,” said the above civilian.
Locals reported that two junta columns from light infantry battalion 364 and infantry battalion 701 have been conducting continuous raids, torching villages, under clearance operations since the declaration of martial law in early February.
UNOCHA has announced on March 3 that over 60,000 houses have been torched and over 1.5 civilians have been displaced all over Myanmar since the military coup.