Residents of the town center and some villages in Bawlakhe Townshipwere have been forced to flee their homes after facing frequent artillery shelling by the Myanmar Army since the first week of May, Bawlakhe residents report.
A 40-year-old woman who fled her home said they initially fled their homes and took shelter at the monastery, but she had to leave again after realizing that the monastery had also been hit by the shelling.
“We went to the monastery to seek shelter. But no one dared to stay there after the monastery was also hit by the shelling. So, we had to leave again despite the risk,” she said.
Most of the residents of downtown Bawlakhe and some villages had been forced to seek safety elsewhere, leaving only government employees and military council security members in the town, she said.
On the other hand, the Loikaw-Demoso-Bawlakhe road has been closed due to the ongoing fighting since the second week of January. As the fighting continues, the displaced people have to go to downtown Loikaw via jungle trails to seek shelter. However, the displaced who cannot afford it are forced to hide in the forests.
“Those who can afford go to Loikaw to seek refuge. Those who cannot have to go to the IDP camps,” said one IDP.
The IDPs are in need of assistance as they have been facing transportation difficulties since the first week of May. Currently, hundreds of people have been displaced.
On 1 May, the PDF-Bawlakhe and other joint forces launched a raid on junta positions in Bawlakhe, such as the veterans’ office, the immigration office, the township police station, and the broadcast station.
In addition, on 6 May, clashes occurred between an advancing junta column in the eastern part of Punchaung and PDF-Bawlakhe.
Sent by Kantarawaddy Times.