With no let up in its brutal high handedness in Karen State, the Burmese Army has killed three villagers rounded up from Peltaw Dey and Bommatee village in Htan Ta Pin Township. They were arrested by troops patrolling the area, last week.

Saw Tar Malar Doh (39) and Saw War Nay Say (28) from Peltaw Dey village and U Manh Tin (50) from Bommatee village were arrested on July 13 by Burmese Army Infantry Battalion 73 under MOC 7. The soldiers took them to Zayep Gyi, where battalion 73 is based. They were killed at the halfway point to Zayep Gyi, when the soldiers were taking them to the military camp, the Free Burma Ranger (FBR) said.

"They were arrested on July 13. Villagers believe they were taken into Zayep Gyi military camp. On July 16, their bodies were found in Ohn Dawzu between Zayep Gyi and Bommatee," Saw Monkey, in-charge of FBR.

Besides, IB 102 under MOC 7 arrested Saw Bey Bay Hto and Saw Hel Kayay from Huu Mudel village in Htan Ta Pin Township on July 15. It is learnt that they have not been released till now.

Burmese Army battalions under MOC 7 and KNLA battalion 6 under KNU Brigade 2 have patrolled the area where villagers were arrested. The junta has dubbed this area a ‘black area.’ Therefore the Burmese Army kills villagers including children if soldiers see them in this area, Saw El Wah,  in-charge of the Information Department of Committee for Internally Displaced Karen People (CIDKP) said.

The junta’s strategic command 2 under MOC 10 burnt down Thadar Del village in Luu Thaw Township, Phapun district, Karen state on July 23. The Burmese Army also planted landmines in the village. As such over 900 villagers have fled and hidden in the jungle, FBR said.