BORDER CRISIS

Fighting between Burma army soldiers and Karen fighters along the Thai
Burma border has displaced as many as 12,000 villagers. These people are
now taking refuge in 22 hiding sites on both sides of the border. Journalists
from the Karen Information Centre are reporting daily from the conflict
areas and from the displacement sites.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Myawaddy residents on high alert

Myawaddy residents are running scared after a warning letter sent by
Karen militia outlines plans to attack the town and burn down government
buildings
March 17, By SAW KAR HSU NYAR (KIC)

Residents of the border town of Myawaddy are preparing to abandon their homes after the leaders of
the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) released a letter saying they planned to burn down
government offices once high schools closed for the holidays.

The DKBA Brigade commander major general Saw Lah Pwe (aka Na Khan Mway) confirmed he had
sent the letter to the authorities in Myawaddy.

Maj-Gen. Saw Lah Pwe said.

“I don't think we need to explain anything special regarding the letter we've officially sent to their
[SPDC] department offices. They've come up and destroyed many of our places already. So, we will
see the situation and take our revenge.”

The DKBA say they planned the attacks to coincide after the high school holiday’s start, but they
have not given a confirmed date. A woman resident told KIC that Myawaddy business houses and
gold shops in the central town are already closed.

The woman who refused to be named said.

“Today at 12 noon, school exams are finished and many residents are not out on the streets. Stores
along Bayint Naung Street have been closed. The police told business people to close up shop. The
taxi motorbikes and tricycles cannot be seen at the front of Friendship Bridge. People are afraid of
there will be fighting."

Since Myawaddy authorities received the DKBA letter warning of attacks on the town and threatening
to burn government offices they have been warning residents and government departments. A meeting
was held at Thaung Ying Hall in Myawaddy town last week with officials from the education, health,
construction, municipal, transportation, taxes, finance and other government departments.

Myawaddy residents said they heard artillery explosions near the town.

1
“We heard three or four explosions from heavy weapons. It is not in the town but close to Min Leh
Pan Village - about two hours walk from Myawaddy town.”

Min Leh Pan, Palu and Walay villages are located at southern part of Myawaddy township and are
former DKBA bases. The DKBA commander, major general Saw Lah Pwe opposed the regime's 2010
election and occupied Myawaddy on polling day, 7 November 2010.

Major general Saw Lah Pwe withdrew from Myawaddy soon after but has conducted a runni ng battle
with the Burma army. His official letter sent to the military regime’s authorities in Myawaddy
threatening to destroy military government department offices is the latest ploy in what many claimed
will be a long drawn out war.