Kawkareik sees over 80% of socio-economic activities resume under Tatmadaw control
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Phyo/ Pearl(NP News)-Sept 28
More than a year after the Tatmadaw regained control of Kawkareik, over 80 percent of the socio-economic activities have resumed, according to information obtained from locals contacted by The Statesman.
Although the military regained full control of Kawkareik in Kayin State in April 2024, only a few locals have been able to return to the town, and there has been some fighting in the township and communication difficulties, leading to skyrocketing prices.
Currently, the Tatmadaw has been continuously clearing areas in Kayin State, including Kawkareik Township, where armed groups are dominant. Currently, many locals have returned to live in Kawkareik, and all departmental offices have reopened.
“Now that the area around Kawkareik and Kyondoe has been cleared, many locals are happy. About 80 percent of the locals have returned. The rest are businessmen, hardware stores, and gold shops. They don’t have much business, and the big-shop owners haven’t returned yet. If the villages around Kawkareik are as busy as before, Kyondoe and Kawkareik will be full of people and shops. Since Kawkareik -Hpa-an road is also open, the markets around Hpa-an have come alive, so rice and oil are now much cheaper. A bag of rice used to cost about 100,000 kyats more than current price. The price has gone down,” a local told The Statesman.
It was reported that many houses were destroyed due to fire and explosions from artillery shells during the fighting in Kawkareik. The regional government has provided construction materials, including shelters, to help with the reconstruction effort, and the locals, whose businesses have returned to normal, are now rebuilding by themselves.
Currently, 80 percent of businesses in Kawkareik town have resumed operations, and traditional alms-offering ceremonies are being held again. Locals hope that more socio-economic activities will resume in the town once the villages in Kawkareik Township are under full control.
“For the houses that were destroyed, the Kayin government has provided some small amounts of shelter to households. Those who can afford are rebuilding their houses. The local economy is also operating normally. The weekly alms-offering ceremonies are held as before. The schools are also filled with monks. About 80 percent of the economy and social activities are operating. The restaurants are all open again. The prices of goods are not as high as before. Things are quite comfortable,” he continued. –