According to some workers, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has detained around 500 Bamar people in Laukkai.

In Laukkai, a town controlled by the MNDAA, Bamar people had previously been allowed to live and work with the support of their employers. However, due to recent military retaliatory bombings related to the clashes in Lashio, the MNDAA has started detaining Bamar people.

“The situation in Laukkai has become very dire. They are detaining all Bamar people indiscriminately, regardless of whether they have proper documentation or support from their employers. Currently, around 400 to 500 people are being held in their detention center. I’m not sure if they will be released or not. As long as you are Bamar, they are detaining everyone,” said a Bamar worker in Laukkai on social media.

Since MNDAA took control of Laukkai, residents have been required to obtain residence permits. From the first week of June, those without permits have been detained, while those with permits have been asked to renew them. People from other regions need to pay 360 Chinese yuan for a residence permit and between 2,000 to 5,000 yuan for sponsorship.

“If they initially didn’t want Bamar people here, why did they issue these permits and documents? Now, even with proper permits, they are detaining all Bamar people. The reason they often give is that they suspect informants. They believe there are informants among the Bamar people here who are reporting on the situation in Laukkai. That’s why they are detaining everyone,” said another Bamar worker.

Furthermore, some MNDAA members have warned certain business owners in Laukkai to repatriate their Bamar workers to avoid possible trouble.

In a video shared on social media, a Bamar worker in Laukkai said, “I went to see the detention area. I couldn’t see much from the outside, but I could see a little. They are detaining a lot of Bamar people. In the past, this area near Yanlong Kyaing was where Bamar people often gathered. Now, I don’t see any Bamar people. If you are Bamar and see this video, I urge you to leave Laukkai immediately to avoid being detained.”

During the MNDAA’s first military operation (1027) in Laukkai, they occupied the city and an MNDAA member destroyed a Buddhist stupa located Laukkai Point 2022 (SinU Kin Hill) with a hammer, posting the incident on social media. Photos of members standing on large Buddha statues with shoes have also been circulated online.

Additionally, in March 2024, the MNDAA demolished buildings in the Bamar community in Laukkai, citing municipal reasons. These buildings were owned by a few Bamar people but were primarily used for selling Bamar goods.

The MNDAA has imposed strict controls on the entry of Bamar people into Laukkai and has restricted the movement of Bamar drivers in Chinshwehaw, Hsenwi, Kutkai, and Kwanlon regions.