Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) are scattered in every ward of Hsi Hseng Township, Shan State as the military council is firing heavy shells into the town, according to sources.
Since the last week of January, Hsi Hseng has been partially controlled by the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) and the joint revolutionary forces. Since then, the military council has been carrying out heavy shelling, shootings with tanks and bombardments with drones and jet fighters.
Hsi Hseng has become like a ruined town due to the military council’s fierce attacks which led to the destruction of houses, buildings and monasteries.
There are a lot of unexploded mines and grenades in every ward in the town, said the information officer of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO).
“The bombs found in the town are the weapons fired by the military council. These bombs are scattered in every ward. The military also plants landmines. There are a lot of unexploded mines,” the information officer said.
On 1 April, a local man who returned to Hsi Hseng was hit by a landmine and his leg was amputated due to the ERW.
Currently, the northern part of Hsi Hseng is controlled by the military council forces and the PNO militia, while the southern part of the town is controlled by the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) and the joint revolutionary forces.
A local man from Hsi Hseng who returned home said: “The military council allows the people to enter downtown Hsi Hseng but doesn’t announce it officially. The people are allowed to enter the town through coordination with the people close to the junta. At present, the people are entering the town to carry their belongings. Some people return home to see their homes. Some people are carrying their belongings.”
However, locals who have returned to Hsi Hseng were forced to wear Pa-O traditional dress. The military council took photos of them in some downtown places using them as human shields.
The PNLO issued a notice on 30 March that the military council is spreading false information that the public has been allowed to return to the town with the intention of using them as human shields.
In addition, more than 20 local residents who returned to Hsi Hseng were also arrested by the military council. They have lost contact with their families.
Up to 53 civilians were killed and around 70 others including women and children wounded in the fighting in Hsi Hseng, Hopong and Pinlaung Townships in southern Shan State, according to the statement by the Pa-O Youth Organization on 26 March.
Sent by Shan News