Following an announcement from the Kalay People's Defense Force that they will increase military actions in Kalay town of Sagaing Region, local people have been fleeing from the town to seek refuge in border areas and remote villages.
The exodus of people and new road blockages have resulted in rapidly increasing transportation and food prices, according to local sources.
The Kalay District PDF released a warning statement on 26 February saying that they would launch an offensive against the Burma army in Kalay town soon. The statement urged local people to leave Kalay town as soon as possible. After the statement was released many local people left Kalay town for safer areas.
A local man from Kyo Thon Pin ward of Kalay town said that people from Tar Han, Munlai, Kyo Thon Pin, Hlaing Thaya, Koe Maing ward and Khaikam town of Chin state have taken shelter in remote villages and along the Burma-India border.
“Many people I know have taken shelter in the Chin mountains. People are unable to travel in cars on vehicle roads, and instead they have to travel on smaller jungle roads. People hire tri-wheel motorcycles to travel to Pyi Taw Tha, then continue on to other areas from there. A few people remain in Kalay town because they can’t afford to pay for transportation. The majority of local people have already fled to border areas or remote villages,” the local man told Khonumthung News.
The people who remain in Kalay town are facing many difficulties. The fares for local transportation such as tri-wheels motorcycle or taxis have drastically increased in recent days. There have also been food price increases because many of the roads into Kalay town have been blocked.
Due to the high demand from people leaving Kalay town, the cost of a bus ticket to Rikhawdar town Chin state which borders India has increased to nearly 200,000 Kyat per person. The military council has blocked the Mandalay–Kalaywa–Kalay road which connects Mandalay Region to Kalay Township. As a result, the cost of food items has drastically increased in Kalay town.
These price increases disproportionally impact poor people who have been unable to leave Kalay town due to their lack of resources.
A female resident of Kalay town said that some people would like to leave Kalay town for other areas but cannot afford to pay the high fares. Some of the people remaining in Kalay town don’t want to stay but do not have the resources to leave. Many of the people remaining in Kalay town are worried about their safety.
“The ground situation is getting worse in Kalay town. It's really difficult for local people to travel in Kalay town. The military council has blocked many roads in Kalay town and nearby areas. Some people are having a difficult time deciding if they should stay or leave. Some poor people want to leave but do not have any extra money to cover travel costs. Now is a difficult time for residents of Kalay town,” the woman told Khonumthung News.
Since 21 February, combined forces of PDF troops have had multiple clashes with the Burma army in Kalay town and nearby areas.
