The military junta and its affiliated Pa-O National Organization (PNO) militia has barred more than 800 people currently displaced by fighting between the junta, the PNO, and resistance groups in Hsihseng Township, Shan State, from travelling, according to IDP aid workers.
These displaced people have been fleeing since early May, when fighting broke out in Hsawng Pyaung village, Pinlaung Township, forcing them to seek refuge in the jungle.
However, on 2 June, a combined force of approximately 1,000 junta and PNO troops advanced into the village, compelling these displaced people to flee again, this time to Hsihseng Township, the sources said.
Currently, the displaced are in Naung Pa Yin and Loi Se villages in Hsihseng Township. They intended to seek shelter with relatives or friends in other areas, but the junta and PNO have prohibited them from leaving the villages, leaving them trapped, according to aid workers.
An aid worker said: “They’ve been in Hsihseng since 12 [June]. They wanted to flee to relatives in Hsihseng Township or Taunggyi, but they’re stuck because they’re not allowed to leave. Some didn’t stay in Hsihseng and turned back, hiding in the jungle instead.”
The displaced people have been in Hsihseng Township for over a week. Most are residents from more than 13 villages, including Lin Khan and Hu Woe in Pinlaung Township, Taung Poet Kwe in Nyaungshwe Township, and Loi Paw in Pekon Township.
Neither the junta nor the PNO has issued any statement regarding the restriction on the displaced people’s movement to other areas.
“The displaced people are being forcibly prevented from moving elsewhere. They probably fear that fighting will continue in Hsihseng Township. They might also suspect that PDF fighters are among the displaced. But these displaced people aren’t PDFs—they’re ordinary civilians,” added the aid worker.
Due to these travel restrictions, the displaced are facing difficulties accessing food and drinking water, sources reported.
“There’s no aid reaching that area, and getting water is tough. The village is far from the stream, and since they can’t go out, they’re relying on a well. With so many people, it’s hard to manage,” an aid worker explained.
Between 6 June and 15 June, the PNO also expelled over 6,000 residents from Nawng Kyaw and Taung Shey village tracts in Hsihseng Township.
In recent days, intense fighting has continued in Pinlaung, Nyaungshwe, and Pekon Townships, as the junta and PNO militia, with significant forces, have launched offensives against resistance coalition forces.
Sent by Shan News.
