Villagers from Ka Htaung Li village in Dawei Township who protested against a gold mining operation that polluted their water sources alleged that they were harassed, punished and warned not to do it again by a Myanmar Army officer, reports Karen News on April 28.
Villagers alleged the officer based at Htee Hta in Dawei Township gave permission to businessmen to run a gold mine operation that caused the pollution problems, according to the report.
One of the villagers who talked to Karen News said the villagers were summoned to the army base where they were threatened by the army officer.
According to the report, three local businessmen have operated the gold mining at Maw Ma Htoo stream since March this year. Villagers said that the mining had caused changes to the waterways and polluted the stream water that the villagers depend on for their water sources.