Press release from Palaung Women’s Organization – PWO
PWO strongly condemns the Burma Army for firing shells into the village of Pan Pyat, in Kyaukme township, northern Shan State, on February 27, 2014, killing the village headman and seriously injuring two women.
At 10 am on February 27, troops of Burma Army battalion 77, based near Pan Pyat, fired about 15 shells directly into the centre of the village. A shell landed on the house of Tar Kyaw Lu, the 34‐year-‐old headman, killing him instantly. Ten houses were damaged, and shrapnel injured two women, who were taken to Kyaukme hospital for treatment.
After the shelling, Burmese troops entered the village, and began firing guns into houses indiscriminately, apparently targeting soldiers of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), suspected to be hiding in the village. They then seized four men and a 16‐year‐old boy as porters, and arrested 20 men for questioning. The 20 men were released after two hours, but threatened they would be killed and the entire village burned down if they gave any information to TNLA. The porters have not yet returned.
Now most of the over 300 families in Pan Pyat have fled to Kyaukme town, where they are sheltering with relatives, or in temples. Many expressed shock and sadness at the death of Tar Kyaw Lu, who was well‐liked, and leaves behind three children.
These latest abuses took place only two days after the Ta’ang Women’s Organisation (TWO) released a new report “An Unseen Crisis” documenting large‐scale new displacement of Palaung villagers, and urging the Burmese government to show sincerity towards the peace process by withdrawing troops and ending its military offensives.
“Precisely while crucial nationwide ceasefire talks are underway, Burmese government troops are targeting and killing innocent civilians. How can we believe that they really want peace?” asked Lway Poe Ngeal, Joint General Secretary‐2 of PWO.
Information Documentation and Research Department
Palaung Women’s Organization – PWO
Contact:
Lway Poe Ngeal – +66 0863952087
De De Mhane – + 66 0852688736