Despite there being no fighting in the area junta troops torched Hinchotaw Village in Tanintharyi Region’s Launglon Township on 11 January.

According to the National Unity Government (NUG) appointed Launglon Township People's Administration Organisation the junta troops started torching people’s homes unprovoked, at about 5:00 a.m.

A representative of the Launglon Township People's Administration Organisation said: “They [the junta troops] came to the village and Pyu Saw Htee members were also with them. Then they torched the houses. There was no fighting with resistance forces at that time.”

A local said: "Three houses, four motorcycles, and a furniture store were completely destroyed by the Junta's arson. We put out the fire as soon as they left the village; otherwise, the entire village would have burned down. They also took the villagers' cellphones before leaving the village. Fortunately, no one was detained.”

The junta troops moved on from Hinchotaw Village and at the time of reporting were on their way to Kyauknimaw Village, also in Launglon Township.

Launglon Township People's Administration Organisation issued a statement condemning such willful arson and warning that violence in the area may continue.