There is concern among travellers and local residents regarding the order issued by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) for to passengers and vehicles, those are traveling along Highway No. 8 from Mawlamyine Township in Mon State to Thanintharyi Region, Myeik Township.
On June 10, the KNU No. 6 Brigade issued a notification stating that citizens and vehicles traveling along Highway No. 8 should be stopped and inspected by the KNLA. It explicitly mentioned that no person or material belonging to the military council should be carried in the vehicles under any circumstances.
Additionally, travelers were advised not to ride in a vehicle with military junta, SAC soldiers or individuals associated with SAC. The notification further specified that vehicles would be subject to inspection starting from June 15th.
According to tourists and locals, the announcement has caused concern among tourists and local residents, and they are afraid to travel.
“The concern has been there even before this notification letter was issued. Because there is no peace anywhere along the Ye-Thanphyuzayat road after coming down from Thanphyuzayat. Now that the letter has been issued, people are more afraid to travel,” said a male tourist.
After the military coup, there were more military council checkpoints on the Ye-Mawlamyine highway, as well as joint checkpoints between the KNU and People’s Defense Forces PDF.
It is known from travellers, and the local people that security has been tightened and checks have been increased, especially along the Ye-Thanphyuzayat road in Ayekabarkyaw Village, Kaninkamaw Village, Aungtharyar Village, and Lainmawchan Village.
“It’s not just us, but all of them, if we go from Mawlamyine to Thanphyuzayat, we are worried. Because I don’t know which side, if they have a weapon, they can shoot everything. People are afraid of both sides, even if it’s not from the left. As it is, the road conditions are not comfortable. They travel from the end where they cannot necessarily go. It’s like that,” said a Mawlamyine-Ye bus operator.
Therefore, he urged the traveling public to be cautious while traveling and to stop and be checked if they encounter any armed group along the way.
The KNU has stated that it will not be responsible for any issues that may arise due to any violation of the notification statement issued by them.
Along the highway between Ye Town and Thanphyuzayat Town, there are frequent shooting and fighting occurred between the SAC troops and the People’s Defense Forces operating in the area.
In addition, civilian cars, trucks, and motorcycles were shot at, and people were injured and killed, according to local people.
