Residents in the forest of Rakhine Yoma, west of the Pathein-Monywa road in in Ayeyarwaddy region were reportedly evicted by junta troops, according to a report on January 17.

Local residents say that they make their living by quarrying, cutting bamboo and wood, making charcoal, hunting, fishing and finding fruits and herbs in the forest and mountains and that they were ordered to dismantle their makeshift tents and leave since the second week of January.

"We have been told not to live in tents in the mountains and that we will be killed If they find us here. Now we dare not work in the forest. It has become difficult to earn a living,” said a local resident in Kyan Khinn Township.

Some members of the local administration said that the junta troops would clear the area in the forest and mountains. Those evicted make their living in the forest and mountains in Kyan Khinn, Lay Myat Hnar, Yay Kyi, NgaThyai Chaung, and Tharpaung townships which are connected to the Western Yoma.

Aung Aung, a former political prisoner, said the western part of these townships borders Rakhine State and is a hotbed of military and political tensions between the Arakan Army ULA/AA and the Military Council. The junta also suspects that there are People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) hiding out in the forest and mountains.

"The junta troops are lying in ambush to gain control of the area. The men with civilian clothes are watching. They are looking for PDF outposts, posing as hunters and loggers," said Aung Aung.

In addition, military aircraft from the Pathein Air Force Base are flying over the area at least four times a day, according to Pathein residents.

In December, the junta force evicted forest dwellers from the Chaungtha Forest Reserve in the Rakhine Yoma Mountains in Pathein Township.