Two villagers killed in clash with soldiers

IMNA
February 24, 2006

Two villagers were killed and three villagers injured after they clashed with two soldiers. The soldiers shot the two on February 24 night.

Following the incident soldiers from Infantry Battalion No.106 based in Morkanin village, Lamine Township has been storming the villages, according to a villager.

The incident occurred after the two soldiers tried to force the villagers to take them to another village called Lon_more_chan on a motorbike.

“Villagers tried to avoid it and an argument ensued. The soldiers came to blows with the villagers. The two soldiers went back to their battalion and came back with guns. They fired on the villagers,” said a village leader.

After the two soldiers shot at the villagers, an army sergeant who found out what had happened shot the two soldiers in turn. The two soldiers also died on the spot.

The two young villagers killed by the soldiers were sons of Nai Juu Hurn and Nai Ha Nyae and were aged 29 and 20 years.

The incident occurred in front of the battalion where buses stop. There are pubs nearby where the young men drink.

According local villagers, such incidents used to happen regularly after the battalion set up their base. Regular killings were reported 13 years ago in this village.