The Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) Bo Saw Salone camp in Phlu Lay village in the Lay Kay Kaw area of Myawaddy district was attacked by military aircraft on 14 February, and three Buddha statues and three jade statues were stolen from the camp.

“I don’t know whether they destroyed the images or took them. The three jade statues around the tamarind tree are no longer there. The shrine is still there,” said a PDF member.

He said residents of Phalu village were very upset that military junta troops had stolen the statues, which were religious relics.

Villagers were forced to flee because of the junta troops’ offensive in the village. After they fled the soldiers broke into the empty homes, took valuables and destroyed people’s possessions.