Due to being arrested as human shields by the Military Council troops, the people from Hmaw Bone (Maden Yang) village in Longkhin village-tract, Hpakant Township, Kachin State, no longer feel safe staying in the village and are living in fear.
According to a local woman from Hmaw Bone village, after the Military Council troops arrested and later released over 200 villagers, they issued threats of killing the local people if they were found in the village again. Furthermore, due to the frequent entry and exit of the Military Council troops in Hmaw Bone village, the local residents are too afraid to return to their homes.
"After their release, the majority of people immediately left the village, fearing for their lives as they were threatened with death if they were to encounter anyone again. Even those who were close to me fled, afraid to remain in the area," she said.
According to a local man from San Khar village, located near Hmaw Bone village, approximately 1,000 houses exist in Hmaw Bone village, but an alarming 90 percent of the residents have chosen not to reside there anymore.
A resident of San Khar said, "I'm certain they no longer dare to reside in the village. Currently, only a handful of caretakers remain."
The residents have sought refuge in shelters provided by churches in Hpakant town or have taken temporary accommodation in the homes of nearby relatives, and nobody dares to stay there due to the fear of being arrested again, said a local woman from Hmaw Bone village.
"Some individuals have sought refuge in IDP camps established by the church, while others are staying with relatives. Personally, I set up a tent near someone else's house and stayed there temporarily. Due to the prevailing circumstances, nobody dares to live in the village," she explained the current situation.
The woman further mentioned that the Military Council troops seized valuables, money, and other belongings left behind in the homes of the displaced residents.
"To be frank, they selectively took all the valuable bags and men's bags. They confiscated the flashlights used for finding jade, took away whatever little money remained, and forcefully broke and confiscated all the keys. The same actions were carried out in other people's houses as well," she said.
During the military column's entry into Hmaw Bone village, they forcibly confiscated 2 million kyats from a pregnant woman. The money was intended for her upcoming childbirth, and despite her pleas for them not to take it, the troops disregarded her pleas and seized the money by force.
When locals were detained by the Military Council troops, they were questioned about their support for the KIA and the PDF. A man from San Khar village stated that the actual support for these organizations does not come from the local people but rather from businessmen who have a joint venture with the Military Council.
"The businessmen who collaborate with the Military Council are the ones truly supporting them. It is a known fact that individuals who frequent KTV establishments and engage in drinking together tend to support one another. Insulting the villagers is far from satisfactory," he said.
He also emphasized that the residents of Hmaw Bone village are facing significant challenges in securing their livelihoods and are not in a position to provide support to the KIA and PDF.
On April 21, the Military Council troops apprehended over 200 individuals from Hmaw Bone Village and San Khar Village, using them as human shields.
According to accounts from those who were released, the Military Council troops subjected the detained individuals to physical assault until they provided the desired answers. Subsequently, the troops submitted the obtained statements to higher authorities. Out of the over 200 people who were arrested as human shields, the majority have been released, while 28 individuals remain in custody. It has been reported that four individuals lost their lives during the interrogation process. However, independent confirmation of these incidents is currently unavailable.
In Hpakant township, the Military Council troops are conducting frequent arrests, targeting villagers who come into contact with their columns and taking them as human shields.
