Mizzima News

Chiang Mai – Schools and clinics in villages of Kawkareik Township were forced to close following operations launched by the Burmese Army and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), an NGO assisting these said.

Italy based 'Help without Frontiers Refugees for Burma' said that five schools and two clinics were opened in Phawbulahta and Hawphokee villages in Kawkareik Township after clashes occurred in late September.

"These areas are under the control of the DKBA and the Burmese Army. So, we have to move from the villages. We are not sure if we can reopen the schools and clinics as long as the soldiers from the two sides are present. We are in a wait and watch mode," Benno Röggla, the Chairman of the NGO official told Mizzima.

Teachers and students dare not come to the schools. To make matters worse the joint forces of the DKBA and the Burmese Army looted medicines and other items from the clinics. So the clinics had to be closed too, he said.

The villages are on Thai-Burma border, 45 kilometres south of Mae Sod.

The NGO is currently running about 30 schools and three clinics along the Thai-Burma border. It started the charity work in 2002.

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA, which is waging war against the junta, said that Infantry Battalion (IB) 401, 407 of the Burmese Army and IB 907, 906, 33 of the DKBA entered these areas after September 24.