Refugees in Kokand are accusing Myanmar government troops of gang rape, beatings and shootings of unarmed civilians, in a bid to terrorize the local population since fighting with rebel forces began on February 9, according to Radio Free Asia on March 25.
RFA interviewed a refugee who said groups of Myanmar government soldiers are roaming around, using rape, beatings and shootings as a weapon of war against local people.
She said the army “comes at night, when you can't see them, because they think that the local people are working for [rebel commander] Peng Jiasheng."
The refugee claimed groups of soldiers are attacking civilians in the belief that they are Peng's soldiers, even if they are unarmed.