Villagers displaced from Banmauk and Konepaw villages in Pinlaung Township, Shan State dare not return home because junta and allied Pa-O National Organisation (PNO) soldiers are still occupying the villages.
After fighting started between the the junta-PNO coalition and Karenni joint forces in Pinlaung Township in October 2024, villagers fled from their villages in the township, including about 1,000 who fled from Banmauk and Konepaw villages.
The military situation has now calmed down in Pinlaung Township and there is currently no ongoing fighting. As a result some people displaced (IDPs) from other Pinlaung Township villages have been able to return, but the about 1,000 IDPs who fled from the villages of Banmauk and Konepaw still cannot return because junta forces remain stationed in their villages.
But, it is not just Banmauk and Konepaw villages that are dangerous to return to. It is also dangerous to return to other villages in Pinlaung Township, which has caused stress to all the returning villagers.
On 21 November, an IDP who returned to his village of Nawngwoe in Pinlaung Township stepped on a landmine planted by the junta, whilst he was clearing his yard.
An IDP from Banmauk Village currently sheltering in Nyaungshwe Township said: “We have not dared to return to our homes yet, as the junta troops are still in our village. We are too fearful to even go back and retrieve our clothes. The war-displaced people here are using whatever materials they managed to bring with them while fleeing to improvised accommodation. Additionally, the junta troops have planted landmines near the villages, and there has already been an incident where a villager stepped on one.”
The 1,000 IDPs from Banmauk and Konepaw villages are currently sheltering in the villages of Sanyaekyi, Hehsat, and Narmun in Nyaungshwe Township. They are currently facing difficulties and hardships due to a lack of work and income and limited donations. Some families have been forced to borrow money to make ends meet.
The aforementioned IDP from Banmauk Village said: “We are facing many difficulties, with the main one being a growing livelihood crisis. I believe things would improve if we could return to our villages.”
