by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) - The international Save the Children aid organization reported Saturday that two of its members were missing in Myanmar after the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) murdered 35 civilians on Friday and burned the bodies beyond recognition, the Washington Times reports. The slaughter on Christmas Eve was the latest atrocity committed by the Tatmadaw in seeking to control Myanmar and impose Buddhism as the national religion.
Friday’s massacre was part of an ongoing battle between the Tatmadaw and armed resistance groups, the Times reports. At one point the military rounded up 35 civilians, including children and elderly people, and burned them.
Save the Children said in a statement that two of its staff had been traveling home for Christmas when they were “caught up” in the Christmas Eve atrocity that took place near Koi Ngan village, close to Mo So. The staffers had not been heard from.
“We have confirmation that their private vehicle was attacked and burned out,” Save the Children said.“The military reportedly forced people from their cars, arrested some, killed others and burned their bodies.”
Reporting on the atrocity, the state-run Myanma Alinn daily newspaper said Saturday that fighting had broken out after resistance fighters belonging to the Karenni National Progressive Party refused a military command to stop their “suspicious” vehicles and attacked security forces. The government itself made no comment.