An interview with an official at Zup Awng IDP camp in southwestern Kutkai Township
September 15th, 2022
Armed ethnic groups are present in neighboring areas of Zup Awng IDP Camp, about 12 miles southwest of Kutkai Township in northern Shan State. This includes the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), whose members have not only been stationed at the IDP camp since early this year, but also beat IDPs on August 17th.
An official at Zup Awng IDP camp, who did not want to be named, was interviewed about the current situation of IDPs in the camp.
Q: Can you tell me about the situation in Zup Awng IDP camp after the military coup?
A: We can’t sleep or eat day and night. One armed group after another has come to the camp to rest or sleep, and we’re afraid of them. Sometimes people are killed when artillery shells fall and explode. We’ve no one to complain to. This is very uncomfortable for us. We’ve nowhere else to go. We’ve difficulty getting water because the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has cut off the water supply to our camp.
Q: If the situation continues like this, what could happen in the future?
A: If the situation continues like this, people in the camp can be hit by artillery fire from the junta. People can also get injured if the members of the armed group shoot each other when they get drunk here. They may also use physical violence against women in the camp. There may be more thefts and robberies. Young people are being ruined more and more. They [members of the armed group] sometimes seduce young people with money and sometimes make them drink alcohol. So people in the IDP camp may suffer death and their moral character is ruined by them.
Q: Who used to own the Zup Awng IDP camp?
A: It used to be the forest reserve of Kawnghka People’s Militia. Later, it was given to the IDPs as a shelter. The forest was cleared, village-like roads were laid out and plots of land were allocated for their settlement.
Q: When did the armed groups start coming so close to the IDP camp?
A: The situation worsened in late 2021 and early 2022 when they settled near the camp.
Q: How did the armed groups come to the camp? Did they come first to rest or did they come intentionally to live in the camp?
A: First they came when they went to the front line and also recruited people in the camp. Later they started living in the houses of the displaced people and they started building their own camps.
Q: How hard has it become for the IDPs? What would you like to ask for?
A: Until the Kokang and Ta’ang armed forces came in, there were no incidents such as artillery shelling or explosions in the camp. Since late 2021 and early 2022, there have been deaths from artillery shell explosions. Some women in the camp were verbally assaulted as if they were prostitutes. They [members of the armed groups] steal things from stores. They broke into the church and preschool without permission and slept there, leaving garbage strewn about. They rent motorcycles, but they don’t just fill them up or fix them when they’re broken. If a dog barks at them, they come to the owner’s house and shoot the dog. If they borrow something, they don’t return it. Their own armies are responsible for their actions. The KIA is also partly responsible. It’s time for it to address these problems. So far, nothing has been done to solve the problems.
Q: What about the activities of the military council in the area?
A: Columns of the junta army have come once or twice on their advance. But they retreated again. The junta troops have never been stationed near the camp, but before they entered the area, they fired ahead with heavy artillery.
Q: The people in Zup Awng IDP camp have been suffering hardship for a long time. Have there been any organizations to help and support them?
A: Until now, there have been none. The church has helped where it can.
Q: We’ve heard that the people in Zup Awng IDP camp haven’t received any assistance. How are they dealing with the situation with the high commodity prices?
A: They try to make a little money by collecting Indian pennywort and selling it. Some return to their villages and work on the farm. In some families, the young people who’re old enough to earn money serve in the army for the good of the people and the country. Therefore, the children and the elders who stayed at home have to search for Indian pennywort and sell it to earn their living.
Q: We’ve heard that the displaced people from Kutkai are planning to return to their homes. What about the return of people from Zup Awng IDP camp?
A: The IDPs in Kutkai aren’t returning to their homes, but are being relocated to another place in the same township. Those living in Zup Awng IDP Camp can return to their villages, but their houses are no longer there. Their schools are also no longer there. So it’s hard for them to go back home immediately. Even if they go back and work on the farm, they may encounter roads blocked by armed groups.
Q: The ethnic armed groups started their armed struggle because they didn’t agree with the military junta. Therefore, they’re expected to listen to the voice of the people. Do you want to say anything about that?
A: I used to think that they were resisting for the good of the country and the people. But lately I’ve come to understand that they’re in it for business.
Q: What would you like to say to the leaders of the Kokang armed group (MNDAA) on behalf of the IDPs?
A: I want them to stay away from the IDP camp and I want their members to leave Ga Leng village. And I want them to apologise to the victims in the IDP camp for being beaten by their members.
Q: On behalf of the IDPs, what would you like to say to the relevant organizations?
A: I want all groups to know that members of the Kokang armed group shouldn’t come to this area in Kachin State. We speak different languages. Because they’re communists, they’ve no respect for other people’s religion. They hug the girls [in the IDP camp] or physically attack them. They also try to corrupt children by persuading them to drink beer. I want all the armed groups to know this. I call on them all to stop doing this.
Sent by KNG.