Local residents report that people have been allowed to return to Indaw, a town situated on the border of Sagaing Region and Kachin State, to repair their damaged homes and buildings.
The residents are allowed to enter the town more than a month after the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) jointly seized the town in April.
The residents said that demining operations were carried out in Indaw in early May after the joint force of the KIA and the PDFs took control of the town.
A displaced resident of Indaw said, “People are collecting their belongings, and residents are now allowed to enter the town at any time. However, some drivers—unaware that the main road has reopened—are still using the ring road. Others continue to avoid passing through Indaw due to security concerns.”
Before moving back into their homes, residents are first putting furniture back in place, assessing the damage, and beginning repair work.
In addition, residents of Indaw said that the joint forces reopened the Mandalay–Indaw–Myitkyina road section on 4 May, allowing travelers to pass through for the first time in over nine months.
Although the road section has been reopened, bus operators and travelers report that most passenger buses continue to use the bypass road, citing ongoing security concerns.
Regarding the aerial bombing of Indaw on the morning of 14 May, a resident said, “People feel unsafe. This morning, the junta dropped a bomb on the downtown area. So far, there are no reports of damage or casualties.”
Some travelers expressed concern about crossing the reopened Indaw road section, citing recent reports of some male travellers going missing.
Sent by Shanni Voice
