Refugees flee to Tak after clash in Burma
Some 300 people fled from ethnic clashes in Burma yesterday as a Buddhist Karen group launched attacks on a rival Christian group near the Thai border.
The Karen civilians, including children and women, crossed the border to seek refuge in Tak's Mae Ramat district, according to district chief Phumchai Taphankaew. "We have arranged temporary shelter for them and expect they will return home soon after the conflict is over," he told reporters. An ally of the Burmese junta, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) launched three attacks simultaneously at about 2am yesterday on three strongholds of the Christian group Karen National Union (KNU). The hour-long operation caused 30 casualties and the DKBA managed to capture all three areas. The sounds of mortars and guns were heard clearly in Thailand, said a security official who monitors the border situation. Thai authorities beefed up security to prevent the battle spilling over the border. Hundreds of border patrol police were deployed to provide safety for residents along the Meoi River. Thai officials at the border expected tension would continue for several days. Yesterday's action was the biggest setback for the KNU since 1995 when a major offensive by the junta led to the defection of the DKBA from the Christian-dominated organisation. The KNU's charismatic leader General Bo Mya died in December.
The Nation Tak
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