Passenger and cargo vehicles traveling from Muse to Lasio are stranded on the Muse-Lashio road in Shan State due to the ongoing armed clashes, according to bus drivers.
The entrances and exits of Lasio town were closed following the outbreak of fighting on 3 July. As a result, hundreds of passenger and cargo vehicles that had left Muse for Lashio are now stranded near Mong Tin village.
A bus driver operating between Muse and Lashio said some vehicles were hit by indiscriminate artillery fire from junta troops.
“Yesterday (3 July), some vehicles were hit by shells fired by junta troops. One vehicle that came from Namkham can’t even move. The car windows were also hit. The road has been closed since yesterday. We can’t drive through. Vehicles heading towards Mandalay are just standing there. Some that were able to turn back have gone back,” said the bus driver.
The stranded drivers fear being hit by artillery fire and bombs. According to reports from travelers, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)-Kokang troops have also seized some civilian vehicles.
“The Kokang troops came and checked the cars and took about three late-model ones, including the people onboard. I heard that they have now been released. They say they took the cars to use them on the battlefield. It is worrying that they took the cars during this difficult time. They say they will return the cars, but people depend on their cars for their livelihoods,” said one traveler.
The military junta has closed all roads to and from Lasio since 3 July. Locals report fierce fighting in nearby villages such as Ei Naing, Mong Tin, Man Aing, Kone Nyaung and Shan Khaik.
All entrances and exits to the Union Highway in Hsipaw and bridges have been destroyed. Fighting is also reported to be continuing in the surrounding areas and in Kyaukme and Lashio Townships, according to local sources.
Sent by Shan News.