The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has forcibly occupied the Man Ping village school near Nam Hpat Kar town in northern Shan State, sparking intense protests from parents and community members, according to residents.
The confrontations with the local residents broke out on 29 November after the ethnic army occupied the Man Ping village school between Muse and Nam Hpat Kar towns on 25 November.
A local man from Man Ping village said: “The TNLA cleared out the old school building right next to where children are currently studying. They’ve taken over the school grounds with their troops, threatening locals with guns and refusing to leave. They even pulled down the national flag in front of the school and closed it off.”
Currently, children are attending classes in the new school building of Basic Education Primary School in Man Ping village tract, while the old building has been cleared and occupied by TNLA troops since 25 November.
On 29 November, some parents requested that TNLA vacate the school premises, but the group not only refused but also erected additional fences and established their position.
After multiple unsuccessful attempts to negotiate, on 30 November, community members, parents, school committee members, and teachers collectively approached TNLA to demand that they leave the school area. According to locals, TNLA responded by threatening people with guns, closing the school building in use with wooden bars, and removing the Kachin national flag.
Reportedly, the TNLA removed the flag and fenced off the school, threatening to keep the school closed unless they were allowed to maintain their position.
However, on 2 and 3 December, parents managed to remove the fences, and children have continued attending the classes.
“Parents removed the barriers and students returned to the classes. But they closed the school again. Yesterday was Sports Day, and children came to play for a while. But some parents are taking their children away. Now TNLA is again trying to prevent us from using our school. They absolutely refuse to leave and won’t let villagers to negotiate with their leaders.”
According to local accounts, the occupied school building was previously used until the COVID-19 pandemic and preparations were being made to build a new school building and expand the school to the post-primary level when TNLA forcibly took over, according to local accounts.
Despite attempts to contact TNLA’s information department, no response has been received.
Located near Nam Hpat Kar in Kutkai Township in KIA Brigade 4 Area, Man Ping village has approximately 30 households, with local residents operating a self-supporting school in collaboration with the KIO government.
The school provides education for students from Man Ping and nearby villages, with around 60 students from villages such as Na samu, Hka hpaw, Zupra, and Kawngra.
The village tract is a small community characterized by mixed settlements of Kachin, Shan, Palaung, and Chinese ethnic groups.
Sent by KNG.
