Interview: Mother trapped in Pauktaw for eight days recounts ordeal and escape

By Admin 09 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
9 January 2024, Pauktaw

Fighting has been raging for more than one month between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA) in Pauktaw town after the AA seized the central police station in the town on November 16. The regime has been conducting joint operations using ground troops, warplanes, and warships.

Over 220 people trapped in the town were rescued by the AA on November 21 and 22. Daw Hla May, 40, who was trapped in the fighting for eight days together with 10 other people including her relatives, recently spoke to DMG about how she managed to survive during the fighting, and the plight of displaced people.

DMG: How did you get trapped in Pauktaw town?

On that day when the [AA] seized the police station, there was mayhem and we stayed in our homes. When the Myanmar military dropped bombs, …. as our house is small, we hid in a neighbour’s house. There were two women including a paralysed grandma at that house. So, a total of 10 people including our family members were hiding at that house. 

We hadn’t expected the situation to be that bad. We thought the fighting would be over in two days. Junta soldiers had arrived in the town when we planned to get out of the house.

DMG: What difficulties did you face after being trapped in the fighting?

We stayed in that house for eight days and we were starving. We had to hide beneath the house as the aircraft strafed. When children cried, we had to shut their mouths. 

No one was left in our ward. Only we were trapped. We didn’t have rice for eight days. We survived by drinking water and eating dry bread. Children were also forced to eat instant tea powder without boiled water.

DMG: Did you attempt to escape?

We did try to escape, but there were junta soldiers everywhere. We feared that we might be shot and killed if we were spotted by them. So, we stayed in our homes. There were many people arrested by the soldiers. We could not sleep at night. Children woke up when they heard shelling. We could get phone contact with no one.

DMG: How did you escape?

AA fighters came to deploy near the house where we were hiding. My 2-year-old son cried, and they noticed our presence. As they rescued us, there was an exchange of fire, and we saw an AA fighter being gunned down. AA fighters rescued us amid the firefight. 

There were [junta] soldiers at the monastery and on the streets. So, they took us via the road to the cemetery. Then rescue teams [from the AA] came and took us by car. They fed us with rice and also sent us by boat to the place where we are currently taking shelter.

DMG: How is life at the current place?

We don’t have enough food. We don’t know when we will be able to return home. My children want to go back. I am not in good health. 

I do want to return home. I can have peace of mind at home even if I have to eat rice only with salt and no curry. As food prices are high, we have used up our money. We don’t have blankets, and I can’t bear to see them feeling cold. I want to live back in the warmth at my home with my family.

DMG: What else do you want to tell us?

We have gotten into serious troubles because of the fighting. I wish there was no fighting. I feel sad as I see smoke from burning buildings every day in Pauktaw.