Burma: More than 50 churches and homes were set on fire in Thantlang

 

• Kyaw Kyaw Thein

 

Chin State A church and more than 50 homes were set on fire this morning in Thantlang. Fighting broke out yesterday between the local defense coalition and the military council in Kalemyo Township, Sagaing Division. In Magway Division, a villager from Namkha village was killed by the army. Kyaw Kyaw Thein reports from Rangoon.

 

Chin State Fighting between the army and local militias has been raging in Thantlang since September, with several houses set on fire on December 30. More than 50 homes were set on fire, said a Thantlang resident.

"It simply came to our notice then. 55 houses. There is no one left. Now the CDF groups. There are council troops. They have only two armies."

The fire broke out at around 10 am in addition to homes and the Assembly of God (AG). There have been frequent shootings in Thantlang due to the presence of military councils and local CDFs. At least 10 houses have been set on fire in Thantlang since September, burning more than 650 homes. Residents have been fleeing the fighting since the beginning of the fighting, leaving tens of thousands of refugees across Thantlang Township.

“It is estimated that there are only tens of thousands in the whole township. But some are moving to Mizoram. Some are fleeing to the villages on the border of Thantlang Township as a safe haven. There are some who are living close to each other now. All of them are difficult. It is difficult to eat and drink. ”

Fighting also broke out between local defense forces and military council forces in Kalemyo Township, Sagaing Division, bordering Chin State. Fighting broke out between the military council and the local defense force in Hakha Lay village in southern Kalemyo Township for most of the day yesterday, according to a PDF spokesman.

"Since yesterday morning, the military council troops have been advancing westward from Nat Chaung," he said. They have increased from Chaung Khu to Hakha. The clash started between this Hakha and the wet. The military council troops were cut off between Hakha and the wetland. The fighting lasted until 3 or 4 pm. No coalition troops were injured in yesterday's clashes. We know that 15 enemy soldiers will be killed. "

PDF (Kalay); CNDF Chin National Defense Force; Fighting broke out between the Zomi PDF and the People's Liberation Army (PLA). PDF leaders say the military suffered heavy casualties in yesterday's fighting.

General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for the military council, said that despite the clashes with the child protection group PDFs in Hakha Lay village, there were no casualties.

"As a child, security forces were shot dead by the PDF terrorist group in Hakha," he said. The shooting took place around 11 pm Then they retreated to the west. No one was injured.

Some houses in Chaung Khu and Hakhalay villages were set on fire during the fighting. Residents of Hakhalay village near the scene of the fighting are fleeing, and some villagers who did not flee are being held at the temple by the military council, according to a local resident.

“Yesterday, the whole village fled in Hakha Lay village. About 15 to 16 people could not escape. When the military councils came to the village, they called all of them and closed the temple. All of them are fleeing the war. I have not dared to return to the village yet. ”

Nat Chaung, Kalemyo Township due to the fighting. ချောင်း ခြ၊ Hakha Lay Thousands of Pan Mon Chaung villagers are also fleeing the war. Aid workers in Kalemyo say it is difficult to help the refugees.

In Magway Division, a man was killed in Namkha village, which was set up by the military junta yesterday, according to a local resident.

“After entering the village on the 29th, we were stationed at night. At the time of the deployment, about 40 houses were carrying valuables. And the chickens, Ducks They killed the pigs. Pan Maung, 46, was also killed after being put in a barn and set on fire. A 60-year-old man with a mental illness: They also beat him. "Now I am worried about my life here."

Chin State Sagaing Division In Magway Division, there are clashes between the military council and local people's defense forces, and the military is clearing areas where there may be militia groups.