In Hkonson village, located in the Lashio District of northern Shan State, residents are currently grappling with hardships caused by Junta troops deployed in the village. These troops are forcing villagers to supply drinking water and meet their water requirements for general use.
Since June 10th, the Military Council troops have been coercing the Hkonson villagers into taking turns to provide the necessary water supply for their needs, locals said.
"The soldiers have also demanded that the villagers supply a motorcycle and a tractor trailer filled with water on a daily basis. The motorcycle is to facilitate their transportation. Using threats and coercion, they have put pressure on the village elders to fulfill these demands. Consequently, the villagers are now compelled to rotate responsibilities in order to meet the water supply demand”, a villager told Shan Herald.
In addition to the water supply and motorbikes, the villagers are also required to ensure the presence of a capable individual who can operate the tractor and transport the water on a daily basis.
Given that it is presently the season for agricultural work in the fields, these demands imposed
through military coercion has seriously disrupted the villagers' livelihoods and employment .
The residents are also deeply concerned about the overwhelming sense of fear and insecurity prevailing in the village, due to the presence of the coup regime troops.
"The present time marks the season of sowing and plowing, where the demand for human labour
is paramount. Certain households are compelled to temporarily shutter their homes, as the entire family relocates to the farm. However our work has been noticeably disrupted as we are now required to take turns transporting water for the soldiers. This situation not only affects our livelihoods but also instills a deep sense of insecurity within us”, a villager told Shan Herald.
Alongside the presence of the Military Council, there are other concerns with presence of various ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) in the vicinity, leaving local residents apprehensive about the imminent outbreak of clashes.
On June 2nd, a fierce exchange of gunfire erupted in Lashio Township between the Military Council and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). In the aftermath, the Military Council resorted to indiscriminate shelling, forcing the immediate evacuation of frightened local inhabitants.
Given that it is currently the farming season, the villagers are earnestly appealing for restraint to prevent any confrontations near their residential areas.
Furthermore, apart from the Military Council and MNDAA, the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and other EAOs are actively operating in the region.
