Around 100 local residents still remain in Bawlake town in Karenni (Kayah) State, as resistance forces continue their offensives against military junta camps, according to local sources.
The resistance forces had issued notices for residents to evacuate the town before the fighting began, but approximately 100 locals chose not to relocate, a Bawlake resident said.
“I can’t say what the mindset is of those who haven’t left yet. No matter how much they’re called to leave, they won’t go. Even when notices were issued before the fighting, they didn’t leave. Only a few people left the town,” said the local man.
He continued: “Only a few left as the fighting was about to start. And now that the battle is ongoing, we waited to see if they would come out, but they still haven’t. About 100 people remain.”
Those currently in the town are not trapped by the fighting but have chosen to stay of their own accord. Some family members have tried to get their relatives to leave, but there are still those who refuse to evacuate, according to a local woman from Bawlake.
“My relatives evacuated as soon as possible after the notice was issued. I’ve heard that family members of those who stayed behind have tried their best to call them back. But there are some who absolutely refuse to leave. At this point, I don’t even know if those who want to leave can still get out. We don’t know the situation on the ground,” she said.
On 2 February, the resistance coalition had issued a statement urging Bawlake residents to relocate within 10 days.
Following this announcement, most residents fled to other areas, while a few have stayed in town until now.
Currently, detailed information about the Bawlake battle is unavailable, although Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) Deputy Commander-in-Chief Marwi’s Facebook page reported the capture of prisoners of war and weapons on 21 March.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times.
