9 February, 2008
Photos and report relayed directly from where we are in the Northern Karen State
Children from Tha Eh Kee hiding from Burma Army attacks (26 Jan. 2008)
Burma Army Kills Villager
On Jan 28, 2008, Burma Army troops from MOC 21 shot and killed Saw Day Kreh Mu, 23. Saw Day Kreh Mu, from Thay Nwey Kee village, was walking with a friend in the jungle close to P’na Mo Keh in the Muthey area of Nyaunglebin District, western Karen State. Burma Army troops on patrol saw him and his friend walking and opened fire on them. Saw Day Kreh Mu was shot dead, however his friend managed to escape.
As part of its strategy to completely dominate the population of northern Karen State, the Burma Army regularly attacks villages and IDP populations. They have a shoot on sight policy for all people found in areas outside of its control. In Toungoo District alone, more than 35 people, including women and children, were killed by the Burma Army in 2007.
Villagers in Muthey, in which there are four Burma Army camps, face constant oppression by the Burma Army and struggle to find enough food to feed their families. People normally rely on the ability to hunt and find jungle vegetables to supplement their diets, but the Burma Army's shoot on sight policy for anyone found outside villages under their control makes this very difficult.
One of four Burma Army camps close to Muthey village, where the troops who killed Saw Day Kreh Mu are stationed.(19 Dec. 2007)
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