More than 20,000 people have fled Indaw Township in Sagaing Region after junta and allied Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) soldiers raped dozens of women among hundreds of civilians detained at a local monastery, according to residents and resistance groups.
Fighting in Indaw has intensified since combined forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), and People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) under the civilian National Unity Government (NUG) resumed their attempt to seize the township on Friday.
At least 800 residents were imprisoned at the monastery during the previous outbreak of fighting from Aug. 16 but only around 140 remain captive there, said a resident who escaped in October.
“Junta and SNA troops select one woman every night for their enjoyment, including married women. They even sexually assaulted some women in front of their husbands and families,” he said.
Residents and the Indaw PDF report that incidents of rape have occurred frequently at the monastery detention center since August. They add that these crimes may still be ongoing as 140 people remain confined at the center.
Based on accounts from witnesses and victims’ families, the Indaw PDF reports that junta and SNA troops have raped at least 60 women at the monastery over the past two months.
“Most of the victims have likely fled in different directions after escaping, but a few may remain in detention. The rape victims even include regime staff who declined to join the Civil Disobedience Movement. They said junta troops threatened to arrest and kill them if they left the monastery,” an Indaw PDF member said.
Indaw occupies a strategically important position on the border with Kachin State. It serves as a gateway to Kachin State and is bisected by the Shwebo-Myitkyina road.
The town is also home to the junta’s Light Infantry Division 77 headquarters. Junta soldiers defending Indaw have been reinforced by hundreds of SNA troops from Banmauk.
Resistance forces have made significant gains over the past three months, seizing the Indaw police station, General Administration Department, and two outposts near neighboring Nabar village.
Two civilians were killed and 10 injured at the monastery in September after junta troops detained around 800 there amid fierce clashes with resistance groups. The civilian casualties and injuries were reportedly caused by junta air and artillery strikes.
The Irrawaddy sought comment on the Indaw rape claims from SNA spokesperson Colonel Sai Aung Mein, but he didn’t pick up the calls.
Fighting in Indaw ceased in October before resuming on Friday. Junta forces responded by launching airstrikes on the town on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, according to an Indaw PDF member.
“Fortunately, there were no civilian casualties reported in the latest strikes yet since over 20,000 people have already fled their homes,” he said.
