July 26th, 2022
More than 500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State are being relocated to Hopong Township in the southern part of the state as they as they find it difficult to return to their homes.
Local relief groups said the IDPs from Hu Sun village tract in Kyaukme will be relocated to Nar Pong village tract in Hopong.
“Everyone wants to return to Kyaukme. There is no more fighting, but the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) will not let them return. It is stationed in the village. So, we have to build a new village in Nar Pong village tract. This area is our home and we have never had to leave our property and livestock like this before,” said Sai Hla Pe, the head of Hu Sun village tract.
The fighting between the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) and the allied forces of the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Palaung State Liberation Front/ Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) forced the residents of Hu Sun village tract to seek shelter in a school run by the Shan Literature and Culture Association.
The IDPs from Hu Sun village have moved to different places in Kyaukme Township. As it is difficult for them to return to their original villages, they have decided to build a new village in southern Shan and plan to live there, the IDPs said.
It is reported that they have started to move to Hopong as their living conditions have deteriorated over time.
“It has been almost a year since I fled the war, and my living conditions are not very good. We do not even have a proper roof for shelter. We need help to get in touch with organizations to provide us with food and shelter,” added Sai Hla Pe.
Currently, Shan civil organizations in Hopong are helping the IDPs to secure their livelihood and the head of Nar Pong village has also provided them with land to cultivate. In addition, the children of the IDPs are being taught by Loilong Charity School in Taunggyi.
It is reported that a total of 576 IDPs from 196 households will be resettled in Nar Pong village tract in Hopong.
Although fighting has calmed in Kyaukme, the IDPs cannot return to their homes because TNLA forces and other armed groups, including junta forces, remain in the area and extort money from residents.
Some of the IDPs have sought refuge in a school of Shan Literature and Culture Association in Kyaukme, while the number of IDPs in the entire township has risen to more than 2,000, according to groups helping the IDPs.
Sent by NMG