Min Bya: Twenty people had to be admitted to hospital in Minbya town with serious injuries after Burmese Army troops and residents clashed during full moon day, said a resident.

"Most people were injured when army men attacked them during the clash, and about 20 people had to be hospitalized. They are in a critical condition," he said.

The clash between the army and local youths started on the evening of the full moon day, known as Tan Son Mon La Pyi, after the soldiers teased some young girls in Zinar land Ward in Minbya.

Initially, some of the soldiers were attacked by the local youths. They fled to their headquarters to report the incident. Nearly 30 soldiers led by a commander of the Light Infantry Battalion 379 then rushed to the ward and attacked members of the public, despite many being innocent and were not involved in the initial argument.

"The army men severely beat and kicked many innocent people, including elders, when they saw them in the ward. Many ordinary people received injuries in the attack by the soldiers," the resident said.

According to local sources, since some soldiers attacked locals with knives and daggers, some victims were hospitalized with serious injuries. However, there is no report of any casualty following the attack.

The police department in Minbya is yet to take any action against the soldiers who attacked the locals without provocation. Many youths are now hiding in unknown locations after the clash out of fear that the authorities will take action against them for the incident, the resident added.