Some internally displaced people (IDPs) arrived in Nong Khio, Northern Shan State were returned home after the Military Council appointed administrative officials threatened and notified them to go back.

Those officials arrived during the second week of September and warned the IDPs to leave as soon as possible, according to the volunteers who were helping the people temporarily took refuge in Nong Khio.

“They go back because of the threats. These officials ordered the disassembling of the tents of the displaced people. That’s why they decided to go back. Now only a few of them remain in Nong Khio”, a volunteer said.

The officials also barred the IDPs from accepting donations and other aids.

IDPs are now arriving in their home yet not daring enough to go back to their orchards. A resident in Doe Pin village said that some people went back to sleep at camps because they didn’t dare to stay in the village at night. “They are afraid to stay in the village nightfall and decide to go back to camps”, he explained. “They still don’t dare to go to their orchards. They are also threatened not to accept donations from others. That makes them suffered”, the villager added.

Although there had been no fighting in recent days, the Military Council kept increasing their presence in the region.

“The Military Council is reinforcing their troops nowadays. Policemen already left the police station in Doe Pin village where army troops are currently stationed. I think the number of troops will be raised 4 or 5 times more than before”, according to a local person who helped the IDPs.

Fighting between the Military Council and Mandalay PDF since August 24 in Nong Khio forced local residents from Doe Pin, Ho Kho and Kala Kwe villages to flee from the conflicts.