Locals, who shifted from relocated sites to their original village, often run away from their village in Shar Daw Township, Karenni State. The reason is they cannot speak Burmese language fluently, said a source.
 
"Some of them cannot speak the Burmese language. They also, cannot read and write. When the Burmese Army arrives in their village, they don't want to speak to soldiers because they cannot speak the Burmese language fluently. When we talk to them, they ask us many questions. If we cannot answer their questions, we are beaten up. That is why they run away from their village," said Burma Naing, the Deputy Interior Minister.
 
He added that some villagers flee from their village because they are afraid of torture. The Burmese Army accuses them of having a nexus with the Karenni Army and passing information to them.
 
Whenever Burmese Army troops arrive in a village, the battalions order men and capable persons to work as porters. So the men go into hiding and only children, women and elderly people remain in the village.
 
Khu Gaay, in-charge of the information sector of the Karenni Social and Welfare Development Committee (KSWDC), said that they have no permission from the SPDC authorities to return to their own village but they have already proposed their return. Authorities have said that they will not forbid it if they wanted to return. “If you do not want to return, it's up to you," the authorities were quoted as saying.
 
Locals face many difficulties for their daily survival in relocated sites. Therefore, they would like to return to their own village for jobs.