Burmese Army soldiers have not only been forcing local people to carry food rations in Pha Pun Township of Karen State, they have also been using civilians as human shields, according to sources.

Burmese Army LIB 434 and IB 19 under Strategic Command No.1 have recently forced local people from Hto Phoe Pardel, Kyo Khodel, Hekhodel, and Chaw Bwedel in Pha Pun Township to carry food rations, according to Tee Woh, an official of the KNU in Pha Pun Township.

“They force villagers to carry food rations and they use villagers as human shields. Villagers are forced to carry food rations from Kama Maung to Pha Pun Town. Moreover, they are mixing civilians in the column with soldiers. So, if we attack the column, civilians will be hurt. This means they are extracting forced labor, as well as using civilians as human shields. I think these operations will continue until the end of this month,” Tee Woh said.

The Burmese Army places orders for villagers to gather at certain locations through village headmen. At least 10 people have to go to the designated locations and carry the soldiers’ food rations every day.

“They order at least 10 villagers from each village to carry food rations every day. Villagers have to go there in rotation. We have to carry food rations because we are afraid,” a local villager said.

IB 214 escorted the column that carries food rations for Khawpo, Kaheekyo, Nat Taung (Leh Toe), Kyauk Nyap, Wah Lu, and Mae Taye Hta outpost camps of LIB 434 and IB 19. The food rations have now arrived in Chaw Bwedel Village.

Likewise, LIB 202 and 254 under Division No.11 have been using prisoners and horses to carry food rations from Kyauk Gyi in Bago Region to Mae Phu and Leh Kalay outpost camps in Pha Pun Township in Karen State since March 16, according to local people. Currently, the food rations are now in Maw Phu village.

LIB 251 and 253 escorted the column that carried food rations for LIB 202 and 254.