Myanmar Junta Forces Displaced Karenni Civilians to Return to Unsafe Conflict Zones

The military junta is actively pressuring thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Karenni (Kayah) State who are currently sheltering in southern Shan State to return home, threatening to permanently confiscate their land and property if they refuse, local sources report. Thousands of civilians fled Karenni State after intense fighting erupted between the military regime and the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) in November 2023. A significant portion of the displaced population originated from Demoso Township in Karenni State, as well as the volatile border areas of Mobye (Mongpai) and Pekon in southern Shan State. They are currently seeking refuge in Taunggyi Township. IDPs report that the junta has intensified its coercion tactics, warning families that prolonged displacement will result in their properties being designated as military-owned land. Fearing the permanent loss of their assets, some families have reluctantly begun returning despite ongoing security risks and the total lack of safety guarantees. “The junta is forcing us back, but they cannot guarantee our safety,” a young displaced woman told Shan Herald. “Most of our homes have already been reduced to rubble. Even upon arrival, returning residents are being instructed to camp out in local monasteries and schools rather than their own properties. People are only moving back out of fear of losing their land. The conditions there are entirely unlivable.” She added that the pervasive threat of landmines remains a primary deterrent to voluntary returns. Despite acute civilian anxieties regarding contamination, the junta has not initiated any mine-clearance operations to secure the residential zones. For those choosing to remain in Taunggyi, survival has become an uphill battle due to rampant economic exploitation and soaring inflation. “We are restricted to informal, casual jobs and are routinely paid half the wage of a local worker,” a 50-year-old displaced man explained. “If a local laborer earns 20,000 MMK a day, we are offered only 10,000 MMK for the same workload. We have been displaced for nearly three years; of course we want to go home, but it is simply not viable. Meanwhile, basic monthly rent here has skyrocketed to 500,000 MMK. Making ends meet is nearly impossible.” Human rights observers and residents believe the junta's aggressive repatriation drive serves a dual purpose: utilizing civilians as human shields against resistance counter-offensives, and projecting a manufactured image of peace and stability to the international community. This strategy mirrors previous campaigns. Throughout 2024, the military regime deployed similar high-pressure tactics to force IDPs back into Loikaw, the capital of Karenni State, and Bawlakhe Township, successfully compelling hundreds of families to resettle despite persistent security threats and active conflict nearby.