Fighting between military council troops and the People’s Defense Force – Mandalay (MDY-PDF) in Naungcho Township in northern Shan State that has been ongoing since 5 April has damaged homes and forced residents to flee to safety, locals report.
According to reports, the clashes between the two sides took place not only in Thanbo, Hohke and Konegyi villages in Naungcho Township, but also near Hokho, Doepin, Lonekham and Seikhpu villages along the Pyin Oo Lwin-Naungcho-Mogok road.
“Junta soldiers came for meals when the villagers were away at work. They told the villagers not to be afraid of them. We also heard gunshots the other day. I think they came from the area around Thayetkone village,” said a local woman about the fighting along the Pyin Oo Lwinto Naungcho-Mogok road.
Commenting on the clashes near Thanbo, Hokhe and Konegyi villages, a man from Konegyi village said, “There is no more fighting at the moment. But the junta continues its advance. During the fighting from 5 to 9 April, eight or nine houses were destroyed. The villagers fled as soon as the fighting broke out.”
The Konegyi resident further said that residents of Hokhe, Hokho, Kyukaw, Namkawng, Kyuinn and Konegyi villages continued to be displaced due to clashes in Naungho Township.
On 5 April, two children from Thanbo village were killed and three others were wounded during fighting between regime troops and MDY-PDF, according to locals.
Locals also reported that the military regime deployed reinforcements to Hsammahse and Thonese villages in Naungcho Township and Nyaungkone and Kyaukmelay villages in Pyin Oo Lwin Township during the fighting with MDY-PDF.
Sent by NMG.