Local residents who have been assisting the internally displaced residents (IDPs) are concerned over potential shortage of food supply in Mong Yin Village if fighting continues to break out in Namtu Township in the northern Shan State.
“Currently, there are over 700 IDPs in our Mong Yin Village. Around 400 IDPs from Haw Nar, Nar Lin, Man Aing, and Kone Mone villages arrived in Mong Yin today. There are over 1,000 IDPs in total. The IDPs may face difficulties if the fighting continues,” Sai Aung Kyaw Zaw from Mong Yin Village told the Shan Herald.
The IDPs fled to Mong Yin Village after fighting broke out between the Shan State Progress Party/ Shan State Army – North (SSPP/SSA-N) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Tatmadaw and the TNLA since early March.
“There are still military tensions between the three sides. The TNLA and the Tatmadaw fought this morning so around 400 IDPs arrived [in Mong Yin Village]. There won’t be enough food if this continues. There will be difficulties in the agricultural businesses of the local residents,” said Sai Aung Kyaw Zaw.
“An artillery shell exploded inside our village. A woman from our village was injured. A man from Man Hsar Aum [Village] was also injured. We didn’t get to take anything when we fled [from the village]. We abandoned everything,” said Nan Myint Hwe from Man Hsar Long Village, who is taking refuge at Zeya Thukha Monastery in Mong Yin Group due to the fighting between the SSPP/SSA-N and the TNLA.
She explained that the IDPs are afraid to return home due to frequent skirmishes and military tensions between the armed groups after troop reinforcement. She urged them to stop fighting because the residents want to return home as they have not finished working on their farms and their children need to be enrolled in school.
“Many IDPs are elderly people, women, and children. Elderly people who are unable to leave due to old age have been left behind at the village. We were trying to go back to look after them but we are afraid to go back after a skirmish broke out today,” she added.
Residents of Mong Yin Village have been carrying out daily food management for the IDPs and some social assistance groups from Lashio have come to the village and provided aids to the IDPs, according to Nan Thi Thi Win from Mong Yin Village.
“Women will face more difficulties. Sanitary napkins and items needed by women have been donated, but there will be difficulties if they have to spend more days at the monastery. We want the fighting to stop,” she added.
The Tatmadaw, the SSPP/SSA-N, and the TNLA are active in Namtu area in the northern Shan State and military tensions are high between them.
