MAGWAY DIVISION – Local farmers reported that they are not able to do farming properly as the military soldiers and junta-backed Pyu Saw Htee (Pyu) have been rampaging often and threatening in Pauk Township of Pakokku District.
Fascist army forces set up check points at the entrance and exit of Pauk Township, as well as stationing at police station and villages. The military forces abducted and even killed the locals whenever their forces invaded and launched attacks to villages. It makes farmers feel insecurity and worried during plantation, said a farmer who grows tomatoes in eastern part of Pauk Township.
“If the junta’s column comes, farmers would run and plant again when they are gone. We have to prepare all emergency packages. Fascist army soldiers invade as they want, so we are worried that they would harm us” the farmer added.
Local farmers had to run for safety in the midst of planting or harvesting and junta soldiers and Pyu may invade and harvested the farmers’ crops, said a woman farmer who has been doing rice-farming in southern part of Pauk.
“Only one-third of the rice farm that was planted last year was able to harvest. They did nothing at the times of planting, fertilizing, irrigating, and harvesting. Then when it was close to harvesting season, junta army shot with large and small weapons to threaten the farmers and harvested the crops,” she continued.
In the good old days, it was easy to export and sell to the city’s brokerage houses and made money. But now, in the war time, the army forces not only inspect and extort money, they also captured the farmers with suspect if they go and sell at city. So they can only sell in the vicinity.
Thit Cho Kone, Tutkone, Deedokekwin Villages in southern Pauk region are the Pyu Saw Htee villages who support junta army. Therefore, they have been torching the other civilians’ houses, rampaging, stealing and killing together with junta troops.
Although farmers are afraid of the military council columns and Pyu Saw Htee, they will have to plant for a living. Farmers in Pauk region have started to plant rice since June including tomatoes, peanuts, peas and betel nut farms.
