Photo:Min Aung Chan(L) and Naing Sikegyi(R)
Mizzima
The bodies of three villagers murdered by junta troops were found in Kawkareik Township, Karen State on 27 and 28 April 2024.
The body of Min Aung Chan, aged 20, from Kawt Palaing Village, was found with gunshot wounds and his hands tied behind his back in Kawt Palaing Village on the morning of 27 April.
“Min Aung Chan’s body was discovered near the Kawt Palaing Creek”, said a local resident.
The bodies of Naing Sikegyi, aged 38, and another unidentified man were discovered just outside the neighbouring village of Kawt Bein on 28 April, according to residents.
The villagers were murdered in a junta army offensive that took back control of the police station in Kawt Bein Village in Kawkareik Township after defence forces had seized the police station and burned it down on 25 March 2024.
The junta launched its offensive to take the police station on 25 April. During the offensive they raided both Kawt Bein Village and Kawt Palaing Village.
On the afternoon of 25 April Naing Sikegyiwas killed by junta troops in Kawt Bein Village. Earlier that day he had evacuated his wife and children to safety, but when he returned by motorcycle to the village in the afternoon, to retrieve essential items from his house, he was stopped by junta soldiers who took his motorcycle and killed him.
“The junta seized the motorcycle and murdered him. It’s truly heartbreaking”, said a Kawt Bein villager.
On the morning of 26 April, the junta soldiers came across Min Aung Chan in Kawt Palaing Village. They arrested him, interrogated him and then killed him.
“They arrested him on suspicion of providing information to the New Mon State Party (Anti-Military Dictatorship). They falsely accused and killed an innocent man”, said a Kawt Palaing resident.
At the time of reporting junta soldiers are stationed at Kawt Bein Police Station and in the villages of Kawt Bein, Kawt Mi, Kawt Pauk, and other nearby villages.
“They are still in some villages, targeting and apprehending anyone they encounter. People are afraid to stay in those areas”, said a Kawt Mi resident.
Revolutionary forces had attacked the junta police station in Kawt Bein on 24 March. The 24 junta soldiers stationed there surrendered on 25 March and the defence forces then set fire to the police station.
The defence forces left the police station on 25 April following the junta’s successful attack.
