Burma army attacked civilians with 40 mm chemical weapons in Sagaing Region, say locals
By Network Media Group
April 12, 2023
Villagers vomited and felt dizzy after Burma army shells exploded and released gas in their village in western Banmauk Township in the northeastern part of Sagaing Region, according to local sources.
On 11 April, Burma army troops from Light Infantry Division 77 (LID-77) attacked Mansi Gyi village with a 40 mm grenade launcher. Local people said that gas leaked from the shells after they hit the ground. Nearby villagers who breathed in the gas felt dizzy, vomited and were unable to eat for up to two days.
Local people say they believe that the Burma army is using chemical weapons to attack villages in western Banmauk Township. NMG is unable to independently verify whether any chemical weapons were used by the Burma army during its offensives in Banmauk Township.
“They attacked our village with 40 mm shells. When the shells landed on the ground, gas started coming out. The smell was so strong. Villagers felt dizzy for two days after that. Children were unable to eat. These shells were used to attack Nawng Kut and Mansi Gyi villages. Adults and children had to flee the attack,” a local female resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told NMG.
A military column from the Burma army’s LID-77 has been patrolling around Nawng Kut and Mansi Gyi villages in western Banmauk Township since 8 April.
Local people in Indaw Township, located next to Banmauk Township, said that the Burma army has also launched military offensive operations in their township.
“Our villagers saw junta soldiers wearing People’s Defense Force (PDF) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) uniforms patrolling in the In-pin forest, which is located between Indaw and Banmauk. Even though they were wearing PDF and KIA uniform, their weapons were Burma army issued guns,” a male Indaw resident told NMG.
The In-pin forest were local people reported seeing suspected Burma army soldiers patrolling in KIA and PDF uniforms is located in the Nantha Aung Kon area. NMG attempted to call representatives of the local PDF for their comment on these reports, but nobody responded to the call.
Local people said that the Burma army has intentionally attacked civilian villages with 40 mm grenade launchers even though there have not been any clashes in the area recently. The Burma army’s military column is still actively patrolling in the area.
