TANINTHARYI DIVISION – The junta council troops conducting offensives in Ashaytaw Region of Dawei Township have abducted at least 20 civilians to use as human shields from the villages on their way in four days, reported the locals.
The around 100 strong junta column arrived in cars at Pakari Village in the early morning of November 25 and have been moving on foot via the forest routes from there.
Immediately on that day, three residents of Pakari Village and three residents of Pakhap Village who were working in the orchards were abducted and taken along with the junta column.
Following that, a woman and a man were abducted near Wakone Chaungphyar Village on November 27. “Recently, the junta column has been moving along the footpaths in the woods. So, mostly people working in the orchards were abducted. People only know their whereabouts when they show up,” said a local man.
The abovementioned junta column has reportedly further abducted around ten residents of Thitkhatchaung Village on November 28 afternoon.
None of the civilians abducted have been released, according to the local people.
People’s Defence Forces (PDF) believe that said junta column is made up of reinforcements for Kyaukme Taung. “We have received information that the column is carrying weapons and rations in baskets,” said Mr. Yaung Ni, the information officer of Dawei PDO (People’s Defence Organization).
Joint PDF forces had attacked Kyaukme Taung Police Station on November 23 but didn’t manage to capture it.
Junta columns frequently raid Ashaytaw Region in Dawei and as they would arrest the civilians on the way, residents in the area have to often flee.