Khit / Myo Gyi (NP News) – Aug 9 

It is reported that the construction team who came to fix the damaged part of the Asia Highway that had fallen down in the landslide recently was attacked and shot by the PDF terrorists. 

According to the local people, the security issue is key to finishing repairing the damaged road as soon as possible. 

Part of the road of the Asia Highway between Myawaddy and Kawkareik located near Tawnaw waterfall fell down due to the water flowing downhill after the torrential rain on 7th August in Kayin State. 

Likewise, another route that is connecting Myawaddy and Kawkareik namely ‘Htokawkoe Road’ is also damaged by the downhill water; therefore, vehicles are stuck in the traffic, according to a local charity organization. 

An official from the Department of Highway of the Ministry of Construction told NP News that the repairing process is being carried out ASAP. The officer continued that the team from the Kayin State Government that went to check to proceed with repairing and fixing the damaged part of the road was attacked by the PDF terrorists on August 7. 

He said, “The inspection team led by the director-general from the Kayin State Government was shot and attacked by the terrorists. Therefore, we will be able to continue the repairing process only after the security situation is guaranteed.” 

A Kawkareik resident said NP News that voices of explosions and fire exchange roared near the landslide area of Tawnaw waterfall on the evening of August 7. 

According to a reliable source from Kawkareik, the terrorists and insurgents scared civilians who were curious about the incident place on August 8. 

Halting the repair work for the damaged road and attacking the construction team is an attempt to cut the commodity flow between Thailand and Myanmar since the damaged route plays a key in the border trade route of Myanmar-Thailand.