Tensions remain high between the Myanmar army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Daw Hpun Yang, Bhamo District, Kachin State, while communication lines have been cut and residents are trapped in fighting, according to Bhamo residents.
On 13 July, only some residents of Dung Hkung village managed to flee to Daw Hpun Yang, while some others remained trapped in the village, according to displaced residents.
Residents of Loimaukyang village, who were forced to flee by the regime army’s advance on Manhseng village, were also trapped, according to a Bhamo resident who is helping the displaced.
“When the situation got worse, Loimaukyang residents fled to seek safety in Manhseng for a short time, thinking they would return home soon. But now it is very difficult for them because tensions are still high. They would like to come to Bhamo, but they can’t because they are not safe on the way there. Some villagers from Dung Hkung are still in the village. Also, no vehicles are allowed to pass, so the villagers are trapped in this situation,” he said.
In addition, Loimaukyang, Daw Hpun Yang, Narlong, Manhseng and Sampa villages between Daw Hpun Yang and Lajaryang have not had access to telephone communications since 18 July due to the ongoing military tension between the two armies, the Bhamo resident added.
Military council troops not only arrested and assaulted villagers, but also confiscated their cell phones when they came under mine attacks while advancing on Loimaukyang on 7 July, according to local residents.
In a similar incident, Loimaukyang residents had to flee to the Shan village of Manhseng near Munglai Creek for safety as fighting between junta forces and the ethnic army intensified.
People helping the displaced said Loimaukyang residents who have taken refuge in Manhseng were running out of food supplies.
There are 42 houses with 132 residents in Loimaukyang village. Some of the displaced people from Manhseng were living in the monastery and school in Manhseng and had difficulty getting enough shelter, food and medicine, they said.
Residents of two of the four villages along the road connecting Daw Hpun Yang and Lajaryang – Dinggar and Khalar – sought refuge in Daw Hpun Yang, while some of the residents of Dung Hkung fled to downtown Bhamo, said those helping the displaced.
However, some residents of Dung Hkung and Loimaukyang were still stranded in the face of advancing Myanmar army troops.
“Most of the residents have fled to their friends and acquaintances. Only the people from Dung Hkung have fled to Bhamo. They came halfway and were picked up by cars to get here. Now that the military columns are advancing on the road, shooting as they go, no one dares to pass,” said one of those helping the displaced people.
On 13 July, about 50 residents of Dung Hkung village managed to flee to the Aung Thar KBC compound, which is two miles from Bhamo, he said.
The displaced residents of Dung Hkung in Bhamo were in need of food and medical supplies, said a Bhamo resident who is helping the displaced.
“Only the villagers of Dung Hkung managed to flee. At the moment, they are having difficulty getting food, as Aung Thar Church is the only one providing them with food. Medical supplies are also urgently needed as some of them have fallen ill,” he said.
Local residents reported that the Myanmar army was advancing on Daw Hpun Yang-Nam Sang Yang area with a large number of troops and conducting military activities.
Tensions between the two sides remained high after the junta’s columns were intercepted by Battalions 18 and 19 of KIA Brigade 5 near Dinggar and Khalar villages, locals said.
Sent by KNG.