By Ko Paing / MPA
Pyu Saw Htee militias are reportedly selling stolen civilian property, including agricultural and household utilities, at discounted prices in Thayarwaddy Township.
The militias from Thayarwaddy Township raided Yengan and Okpho villages in Letpadan Township on 4 September, looting household goods and agricultural equipment with two trucks. They later sold the stolen items in Sipin, Kokekaing and Thaephyu villages, according to the People’s Defense Team – Thayarwaddy District (Pa Ka Pha – Thayarwaddy).
“They stole household utilities and agricultural equipment such as rice threshing machines and tractors from Yengan and Okpho villages using two trucks, and sold them at cheap prices ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 Myanmar Kyat. After looting, they set fire to houses. The militias from Thayarwaddy Township rob everything. There may have been involvement from militias in Letpadan Township as well,” Ko Luu Aye, Information Officer of Pa Ka Pha – Thayarwaddy, told MPA.
Before the State Administration Council (SAC) Army torched these villages, the militias looted the goods and transported them in two trucks.
“Civilians are afraid to buy these stolen goods. Only those close to the militias dare to purchase them,” said Ko Ko Aung, in charge of the People’s Defense Force – Shwe Tann Myay.
It is reported that around 9:00 PM on the night of 27 August, forces from the SAC Army’s No. 66 Light Infantry Division camped in Ywarngan Village and later torched Ywarngan and Okpho villages, resulting in nearly 200 houses being burned down.
Approximately 1,000 residents from Ywarngan, Okpho, and nearby villages have fled due to the ongoing battles.
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) of the National Unity Government (NUG) announced that on 24 August, columns of SAC forces and local resistance forces engaged in a fierce clash near Ywarngan Village, resulting in the deaths of 10 SAC soldiers. The resistance forces captured 10 prisoners of war and seized 30 firearms.
