The regime administration in Karen State announced a shoot on sight curfew and a ban on any gathering of more than five people, via loudspeaker, between midnight and 4am on Bogyoke Road in the capital Hpa-An on Tuesday.
“They’re saying it will be enforced from midnight to 4am but people don’t really dare to go outside after 10pm, especially young people. Although they say midnight, they’ll pull you over if they see you around 10pm,” said a Hpa-An resident.
Despite this announcement from the regime and a pledge from Karen ethnic armed groups to shut down gambling rings after the Karen New Year on Dec. 30, several are still operating late into the night in villages near Hpa-An. The military has set up checkpoints around Hpa-an to enforce its new curfew.
“They are afraid that the resistance forces will infiltrate [regime-controlled areas],” said another Hpa-An resident, who described the Karen state capital as chaotic.
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), and its allied resistance groups, seized control of the Swetawkone military camp near the Thai-Burma border in Myawaddy Township, located 80 miles (128 km) east of Hpa-An, on Oct. 17. The Khawpoke military base in Hpapun Township, located 110 miles (177 km) north of Hpa-An, fell to Karen resistance forces on Oct. 29 following a six-month long siege.
On Dec. 8, residents reported that a teenager from Kalok No Hlaing Wa Village in Hpa-an Township was killed by pro-military forces, including the Karen Border Guard Force, which renamed itself as the Karen National Army (BGF/KNA) in 2024.
Since December, residents have reported conscription aged males (18 to 35) being detained by pro-military forces and forcibly conscripted. Karen News reported that on Dec. 15-16, two male workers were detained during working hours and taken to the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 201, but were released after paying 10 million kyat ($4,759 USD) each.
