In Laukkai Town, a video circulating on social media reveals that the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has been demolishing home-cum-shops on Middle Road within the Bamar community since March 17.

The footage captures the shops being razed by machinery, while MNDAA teams stand guard.

Local reports indicate that similar demolitions have occurred in other areas, including the Bamar community, citing municipal reasons.

Although only a few of these shops are owned by Bamar individuals, the entire area is colloquially referred to as the Bamar community due to its focus on selling Burmese goods and housing migrant workers from mainland Myanmar.

Shop owners, despite prior awareness, made three unsuccessful pleas to spare their establishments after the MNDAA group notified them of the impending demolition on March 9.

The controversy centers around the decision to widen streets. The Bamar community’s shops are nestled between one-way streets—one in the front and another at the back. While proponents argue that the existing two-way streets already accommodate two cars and a motorcycle simultaneously, the MNDAA justifies the demolition based on congestion in high-traffic areas during regional development.

Notably, the spokesperson clarified that the action is not ethnically motivated; rather, it targets structures close to the road, including the Bamar community shops and a building on another road.

He clarified that Bamar individuals are not barred from entering Laukkai. While necessary checks are conducted, anyone is permitted to enter. However, individuals with a notorious political background are the exception and not accepted.