Jaloon Htaw
: Yesterday, the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) at Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) ordered an 8 p.m. curfew for all TPP residents.One TPP resident reported to IMNA that the TPDC ordered the quarter headman to implement the curfew, and around 4:30 p.m. yesterday, the quarter headman announced it to the residents.
“During the night there were 400 Burmese soldiers standing guard. They look like they are ready to shoot if the DKBA [Democratic Karen Buddhist Army] comes,” the TPP resident added.
Some TPP residents have made the choice to move to New Mon State Party (NMSP) territories, such as Kyan Taw village, Japanese Well village and Ta Dein village, a decision similar to some of the TPP residents who fled the fighting two weeks ago on November 8th.
Some 3,000 residents living near Toung Wai quarter outside the TPP Town, near the Meakatar Forest, have moved into TPP town by TPDC orders.
“That quarter is near the forest, so the TPDC said if there is fighting they will not protect that area. That’s why TPDC ordered residents to move into town. That quarter is around 90% Karen. There are only a few Mon, Burmese, and Indian. Most residents now worry that fighting will occur there,” explained a villager near Toung Wai quarter.
Before the November 7, 2010 national election in Burma, the TPDC implemented a curfew worrying about disturbances that might be made before the elections. Now, because of the conflict that arose after the elections, and the belief that fighting will begin again, the TPDC has reimposed the curfew in TPP.
