The presence of military council troops in Hpatmar village in Puta-O Township, which has been ongoing for more than two weeks, has caused concern among the village’s residents. They have reportedly begun digging trenches to protect themselves from possible new fighting.
A resident of Hpatmar told KNG that residents are having difficulty tending their agricultural work and that each family has begun digging their own trenches, while the regime’s approximately 100 troops remain present in the school and surrounding areas.
“We are worried about their presence. Almost all of us villagers work on the farms and fields. So we are worried because the soldiers are there. It is not safe for the villagers if they are shelling the areas outside the village with artillery. Right now, almost every family has dug thier own trenches and other protective measures. We got into a lot of trouble last year because we did not prepare like this,” said a man from Hpatmar village.
Military council troops entered Hpatmar village on 21 March, firing heavy weapons, taking up positions in the village and tightening security checks on passersby.
Currently, they are stationed around the village and their activities are constantly monitored by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF), raising concerns among locals that fighting could break out again, said a Longshayang resident.
“The junta troops have taken up positions in groups. At first, they checked every passerby and their phones. Now the soldiers are no longer on the streets. They are now in schools and forests. All the villagers are alert. The situation has quieted down a bit lately, but they are conducting normal military activities. We had to flee our homes this time last year. So we don’t know how and when it will turn out this year,” he said.
This time last year, fierce fighting between military council troops and the KIA and PDF along the road that passes through villages such as Longshayang, Tsumpiyang, Tanjaryang and Hpatmar in Puta-O forced residents to flee to safety.
Sent by KNG.
