The Military council raided Lay Kay Kaw town, Dooplaya district, Kayin State on December 14 and arrested 23 people, including a parliament member of National League for Democracy from Myaungmya Township.

About 200 junta troops entered Lay Kay Kaw town for the eighth time and searched homes in Wards 6 and 3 and then arrested a total of 23 people, including Pyithu Hluttaw representative, U Wai Lin Aung, from Myaungmya Township, Ayeyarwady Division and two CDM police officers.

According to some political observers, tensions between the two sides have risen as local KNLA forces have barred junta troops from entering the No.1 ward following the arrests.

Lay Kay Kaw Myothit, southern part of Myawaddy town, is under the control of Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 6. It was built with the support of the Nippon Foundation as a symbol of peace between the Myanmar government and the KNU under President Thein Sein.