Two villages in Mon State, Win Maung and Mae Wai in Bilin Township, have been cut off by the military for allegedly having links with local Peoples Defense Forces (PDF).
The supply of rice has been the food commodity that primarily has been cut off for about seven months, but locals report that medicines have also been cut off.
“The village has been without food for about seven months. The village is accused of supporting PDFs. These items are not allowed to enter the town,” said a local villager.
The military has also restricted the number of persons who can enter the town to no more than two individuals at one time.
The army and the Karen State Border Guard Force ( BGF) have set up a joint checkpoint near both Win Maung and Mae Wai villages. Individuals are charged up to 5,000 kayt for passing through.
The Karen National Union ( KNU) is providing food for the two villages.
Fighting between the Tatmadaw and the KNU in Belin Township has displaced more than 3,000 refugees, according to some reports. The current cold weather in Mon State has meant there is also a need for warm clothes, noted one refugee.
