Thousands of residents of Lashio who were forced to flee after the capture of the Northeastern Command by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and allied resistance forces on 3 August have begun returning to the city, according to sources.
A woman from Lashio said: “From what I’ve heard, some have returned. The situation isn’t yet stable enough for them to move freely. But I’ve heard that some are returning because of the difficult living conditions. Some just came back to check on their houses. People from the Pang Shau area have talked about returning. But we haven’t returned yet.”
After the MNDAA and resistance forces launched the urban warfare in Lashio on 3 July, the ward residents fled to places like Kutkai, Namtu, Maire, Taunggyi, Mandalay and Yangon until 22 July.
The residents returned to Lashio only a few days after the MNDAA and its allies took control of the entire city.
On the return of Lashio residents, a local added: “Yes, they started coming back a few days ago. But not everyone has returned yet. At the moment, only those who were displaced near Lashio are returning. So some are coming back to collect their belongings and then leave again. Others are settling permanently.”
The returning residents are those who fled to nearby areas such as Maire, Sinli, Pang Shau and Mong Yaw. Those who have sought refuge in cities such as Taunggyi, Yangon, Mandalay and Kutkai are still finding it difficult to return due to military instability.
Although the MNDAA troops now control the entire city of Lashio, residents say they’re still concerned for their safety as junta planes continue to fly over the area.
During the Battle of Lashio, almost all of the city’s 12 or so wards were affected by the airstrikes and artillery shelling by the junta, resulting in damage to many civilian homes.
Sent by KNG.