Elderly farmer killed, dozens of homes burned in Southern Shan State offensive

Mizzima

An elderly farmer was brutally killed and over 40 homes were torched in a series of violent attacks by joint forces of the Myanmar military junta and the Pa-O National Organization (PNO) militia in southern Shan State, according to the Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF).

The incidents occurred in Chang Joi village, Nyaungshwe township, during the second week of May as over 200 junta and PNO troops were deployed to southern Nyaungshwe and neighbouring Hsihseng township. The area has seen heavy fighting in recent weeks due to operations by local People’s Defence Force (PDF) units near the Phekhon Township border.

On 9 May, troops set fire to over 20 homes in Chang Joi village. That evening, 54-year-old hill farmer Loong Jing was arrested while tending his farm. His throat was slashed with a knife, killing him, and  9.7 million kyat stolen by the troops, SHRF reported.