An interview with a local man about the construction of a military camp in Lung Sha Yang village of Putao Township.
The military council is building a large military camp in Lung Sha Yang village in Putao Township of Kachin State, with the use of many troops, citing security reasons. So, the residents have shown opposition to it. On 10 December 2023, the military council forces moved from Inkhargar village to Lung Sha Yang village with two military vehicles. They have been living there for around one month by taking cover from locals from Lung Sha Yang, residents said.
Currently, the military council forces are stationed in the houses and schools in Lung Sha Yang village. They are carrying out the construction of a military camp by leveling land and digging trenches with the use of backhoes, residents said.
As a result, tension between the two armed forces in the region mounts. Local residents are worried that a battle will break out at any time.
The Kachin News Group (KNG) interviewed a local man from Lung Sha Yang about the latest situation.
Q: The military council is building a military camp in Lung Sha Yang. May I know the latet situation about it?
A: Yes, It can be said that the place where the camp is being built is the place where the army used to be. The military council is rebuilding it in the place where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) burned it down in around 2022. The place is a little wider than before.
Q: How do the locals respond to it? Are there any opposition?
A: All locals are worried as they feel that they are in danger since the military troops are stationed. The main point is there will be travel bans and restrictions. No matter how the army is doing something good to the people, the people will fear. When junta soldiers are happy, they won’t do anything. When they are unhappy, they will cause trouble to the people. So, locals are worried.
Q: What will the subsequent problem be as the military camp is back in the village?
A: As the camp is already there, there will be gates. At that time, I think everyone will talk about it. Then, will the KIA which has controlled the area do nothing? Or, everyone is just worried about whether the KIA will do something to clear it up. I can’t say that there won’t be fighting at all. Because it will be difficult to get in and out. Unless the transportation is difficult, there will be no problem.
Q: Due to the construction of the military camp, are the locals already fleeing the village?
A: The construction site is close to churches, schools and monasteries. It can be said that it is a strategic place. That’s why I heard that some villagers around there have moved to safer places. If fighting occurs unexpectedly, the village is likely to be burned to ashes. Some people flee as they worry.
Q: Is the military carrying out inspections at the place where the camp is being built?
A: At present, the army has not placed bamboo barricade. However, junta soldiers just check the vehicles and ask questions.
Q: How far is the military base from the checkpoint?
A: The military base is located more than 100 feet from the checkpoint. It is near Lung Sha Yang monastery. Now they conduct checks on passers-by only. There were checks before. There were no checks after the checkpoint was burned down. Now the army has resumed checks.
Q: Are there only soldiers of the military council in the military camp? Or militia groups?
A: U Shwe Min militia force is also there. I think all battalions in Putao cooperate with the army. It is being carried out under the leadership of Light Infantry Battalion-137. The army is doing under the cover of civilians as it mainly aims for the frontline security.
Q: What is the completion stage of under-construction military camp?
A: Bush clearing started in December, with the use of backhoes. Then, fencing. Now it’s pretty much finished. The military uses bamboo and wood in the construction of that camp. Now that the camp has been completed, even a battalion commander has already been stationed there. The camp has a strength of around 100 military personnel including the militias.
Q: The people said that the soldiers have been staying in people’s houses in the village since the army moved out. Are the soldiers still there?
A: Not all the soldiers have not moved to the camp yet. Soldiers remain in the houses of village heads and religious leaders. Soldiers remain near the school and around the village.
Q: After the soldiers entered the village, did they arrest and beat the local people and search the homes?
A: So far, there is no such thing. The villagers are worried.
Q: Are there any travel restrictions for local people while the camp is being built?
A: There are no restrictions in the village. But locals are warned at the churches that the column officer had told responsible persons not to sleep in countryside fields. I don’t know why the people are not allowed to sleep there. They said residents will be in trouble if fighting occurs.
Q: Why do you think the military camp in Lung Sha Yang is being rebuilt?
A: I think the checkpoint is located in Mulashidi in Putao Township. Currently there is no regional stability. The army aims to build it as a front-line camp to provide security for that gate. Lung Sha Yang is a big village with many populations. It can be said that it is a strategic location. Another point is this area is controlled by the KIA. I think the military needs to tighten the entry and exit of the people.
Q: Lung Sha Yang village saw months-long battles between the military council and the KIA in 2021 and 2022. Now there have been no renewed fighting. Is stability really restored to the area?
A: Until 2022, fighting continued in Tanja village. After that, the KIA also reduced its military activities in order to be considerate of the villagers. However, sometimes there are still some activities. So, I can’t exactly say that the battle will not erupt again. It is an area where fighting may occur at any time. It can be said that it has been around one year since fighting stopped.
Q: How did the KIA respond to the construction of military camp?
A: To be clear, this area is controlled by the KIA. The KIA doesn’t like it. The KIA wants to clear it. nothing can be said yet as the military council troops are doing under the cover of villagers. If the KIA really enters the village, the battle will surely break out at any time. It can be said that the KIA is considerate of the locals.
Q: Finally, what would you like to add?
A: Our villagers don’t like building a military camp in the village. They oppose it. I am very worried about our security due to the existence of these military camps. We don’t know when and how it will happen. The main thing I want to say is that our people don’t want war. The people just want peace. Therefore, I would like to request relevant groups not to provoke fighting.
Sent by KNG.