Mizzima
Myanmar junta forces recently raided two villages in Monywa Township in Sagaing Region, resulting in the death of an elderly woman and the destruction of 51 homes, according to local residents.
The junta column, consisting of approximately 50 soldiers stationed at Tharsi Village, conducted a raid on Kanpyar and Tegyikone villages, which are situated seven miles north of Monywa Township, at 8 am on 29 February.
Reportedly, a total of 51 houses were set on fire – 32 in Tegyikone Village and 19 in Kanpyar Village.
It was reported that an 86-year-old woman named Tin Shwe, who resided in Tegyikone village and was in poor health, perished in the fire. Many people were also reported missing from the two villages, according to residents.
A Kanpyar resident said, “They (the junta) torched Tegyikone first, moving on to Kanpyar later in the noon. The elderly woman Tin Shwe could not escape as she was elderly and in poor health, so the soldiers burned her to death.”
A source said, “They initiated the arson without any ongoing conflicts. There are no PDF forces present in the villages.”
Later in the evening of the same day as the incident, the junta column relocated to the No. (508) Field Artillery Regiment, stationed near Kyauk Sitpon Village in Monywa Township, after setting fire to the two villages.
Currently, junta columns are reportedly conducting raids on villages in Monywa Township, simultaneously setting fire to villages and engaging in clashes with defense force camps.
The day prior to the incident, on 28 February, military troops raided Kyeepadon Village in Monywa Township, setting fire to the village without provocation and shooting a resident, Aung Zaw Moe, who was subsequently set on fire, according to local sources.
Likewise, on 29 February, a statement released by the Area 71 PDF revealed that junta troops, consisting of 50 soldiers, raided the weapons manufacturing camp of the Area 71 PDF situated on the Monywa-Chaung U Road and set it ablaze.
Despite the members of the Area 71 PDF managing to flee, the force allegedly incurred losses amounting to almost 8 million Kyat in weapons and ammunition stored at the camp.
