SAGAING DIVISION – Terrorist junta soldiers rampaged and fired heavy weapons to Kyaungthan Village of Pale Township while the villagers were celebrating Buddhist Novitiation ceremony (Shinbyu), forced the residents to flee for safety, said Mr.Zaw Htet, the leader of People’s administration group.
On February 21, at around 8 a.m., junta soldiers reportedly invaded Kyaungthan Viilage and fired heavy weapons while Buddhist Novitiation ceremony was being held. As a result, the ceremony was ruined and all the villagers had to flee.
“The fascist column was in the Zaytiyon Village, located at the East of Kyaungthan Village. The two villages are not too far away. As the ceremony was using microphones inviting people to come and eat etc., the junta soldiers heard and came over to fire heavy weapons. All villagers had to straight away run away. I do not hear of injury but the ceremony was ruined,” Mr.Zaw Htet explained.
The junta column which invaded Kyaungthan Village now stationed in the village, thus villagers were not able to come back. In addition, the civilians from villages, such as Myakone, Thittayar, Zaytiyon, Kyaungthan, Kokekokone, Letpankan villages on the route where junta column advancing have to flee.
The military column that destroyed the ceremony came from Pale Town on February 18 with about 70 soldiers in strength, and the battle took place near Myakone Village. The fascist council’s soldiers stayed overnight at Kokekokone Village on February 18, at Zaytiyon Village from February 19 to 20, and at present, they are still stationing in Kyaungthan Village.