More than 3,000 locals have fled to safety due to the ongoing fighting near San Kar village in Nyaungshwe Township in southern Shan State, according to locals.
Since 19 July, fighting has intensified between a combined force of the military council and Pa-O National Army (PNA) and Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA), near Sankar town in Nyaungshwe Township.
A 50-year-old woman from Lin Lan village said: “Most of locals have fled to nearby villages. We are unable to flee to distant area. We return home when the situation calms down. We again flee when fighting resumes.”
The ongoing fighting near San Kar village has displaced more than 3,000 locals from the nearby villages.
Fighting continues to intensify in Linkan, Konepyar, Sekhaung and Htiri villages near Sankar town. More than 300 displaced people have been allowed to take refuge in the houses in Sankar and over 200 at Sankar monastery, locals said.
The people from Huyan, Chanthar, Hteehanthar, Nanbway, Naungbo and Lwelbaung villages, located adjacant to the conflict-affected areas, are seeking refuge at nearby monasteries, around Inle area and forests. They are in need of aid.
A trader from Inle Lake who trades in Sankar reported, “Local residents have fled to Mongpyo and Taungto. Mongpyo monastery has accommodated over 800 internally displaced persons (IDPs), but they are no longer accepting new arrivals. Sankar also cannot accommodate new IDPs. Fighting continues daily in the area.”
Currently, more than 10 houses and Kone Pyar monastery in Sel Gaung village were burned down by the shell fired by a combined force of the military council and the PNA. The displaced locals find it difficult to survive as they are unable to return home.
In addition, the military council forces and PNA are stationed at the monasteries in Kone Thar and Sin Gaung Gyi villages. They are committing crimes such as house burglary, looting of supplies, and setting fire to vacant houses.
Sent by NMG.