Twenty eight Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), who had been hiding in the jungles for many years, in an effort to avoid the Burmese Army, fled to the Thai-Burma border earlier this month. Prior to going into hiding, they used to live in villages in Karenni State's district no. 2.
The Burmese Army often summons Karenni locals as route seekers for security reasons due to ambushes by Karenni revolutionary armed groups. As a result, Karenni locals often hide in the jungles and avoid the Burmese Army's summoning porter, an IDP, who hid in the jungles for over a year, said.
"The Burmese Army personnel torture us. They come only to torture us. Therefore, we cannot live in our villages. We sleep in the jungles. We cannot breed pigs and chickens," El Chet, a Thee Palo villager said.
These 28 IDPs are members of five families from Thee Palo and Kavee Doo village in PhasaungTownship in Karenni State's district no.2. They have reached Karenni refugee Camp 1, on December 2. However, it is uncertain whether Thai authorities will accept them as refugees.
Currently, acceptance of new refugees is not under the direct control of the UNHCR and Karenni camp committee, it depends on the Thai Army and the Thai Ministry of Immigration.
Thai authorities will investigate newcomers and ascertain whether they have really escaped from gun-battle between ethnic armed groups and the Burmese army.
The Burmese Army has summoned porters from all ages and men, women, boys and girls alike, Phar Muu, an administrator of Karenni State's district no. 2 said.
"They know that if they travel with Karenni locals, they will not be stopped. They always summon locals as route seekers. Locals have to show them the safe way. If there is a gun battle taking place, the route seekers must take action," he added.
There are over 40 villages in district no.2 in Karenni State. People from these villages, have been hiding in the jungles and some of them have become members of KNPLF. If people become members of KNPLF, the Burmese Army will not disturb them. Therefore, some people have joined the KNPLF, El Chet added.
