August 6th, 2021
Locals from three villages located near the military council’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB)-58 in Waingmaw Township have fled to the downtown area as the army is firing artillery shells every night.
The military council’s artillery shells destroyed at least six houses and killed animals in Madein, Tanbaung and Laban villages.
A local from Laban village told the KNG that we are unable to sleep as we are living in fear. I hear the sounds of heavy and light weapons almost every night. Artillery shells fell on the houses and roads. We no longer stay in our village. Yesterday morning, we fled to downtown Waingmaw. Now we are taking shelter in relatives’ houses.”
“There is no one left in the village. The people don’t dare to stay in the village any longer as the army fires heavy shells every night. I saw the destruction of some houses caused by heavy shells when we returned to the village this morning. We are concerned that the army will set fire to the houses in the village. We cannot go home as long as the army continues to do shootings.”
Currently, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from these villages are taking shelters at the religious buildings and their relatives’ houses.
The 100-household village head and party requested the LIB-58 to stop indiscriminate firing of heavy weapons into the ward. But the firing of artillery shells continues.
The army’s artillery shells have nothing to do with the KIA’s attacks. Indiscriminate firing is due to the army’s fear, said Col Naw Bu, Information Officer of the KIO (headquarters).
Sent by the KNG.