Since a military troop from the Tatmadaw entered Lai Gwin village in Rathedaung Township on Saturday, nearly 3000 villagers from Lai Gwin and Lamone Taing villages have fled to nearby villages, according to local residents.

Lai Gwin village is one mile from Kyauktan village, well-known for the death of seven detained villagers during the Tatmadaw’s questioning. Local residents were running away in fear of facing similar incidents that occurred in Kyauktan village, a villager said.

Over 1800 people from Lai Gwin village fled to Thaung Dara, Htee Swe, Aung Thazi and Ywar Thit Kay villages. Only 20 villagers remained in the village and the Tatmadaw asked questions to the remaining villagers, said U Wai Tha Tun, a resident from Lai Gwin village.

Hearing the news from Lai Gwin village, about 800 people from Lamone Taing village also fled to nearby villages such as Thaung  Dara, Zayat Hla and Alae Ywar, some people remained in the village, said U Thar Aye from Lamone Taing village.

After the Tatmadaw’s troop had left Lai Gwin village in the evening, the sound of gunfire was heard near the village, a Lai Gwin villager said. But they were not sure if it was a clash or not, the villager said.

“I hear a burst of gunfire; it came from beyond the bamboo bridge that connected with the road to Kyauktan village. I must have heard guns going off close to 500 times and mortar fire was shot off at least 30 times.,” he said.

“I was worried about artillery shells landing on our village because only elderly people, children and mothers are left in the village,” he added.

The DMG tried to contact spokespersons from the Tatmadaw for comment, but they could not be reached.

The Tatmadaw has often entered some Arakanese villages to check villagers because they suspect that members of the AA are staying in the village pretending to be civilians.