Two were a couple from Pahser village, south of Tangyan, on the way to Mongkao, where the Burma Army battalions and their local militia units are based. Another one was U Lu Aye from Nawngmong village, Longmong village tract, located east of Tangyan.

The three were reportedly shot during the Water festival period, 13-15 April in their houses, a local source said.

“One of them [a male teacher from Pahser village] died on the spot. His wife and U Lu Aye were seriously injured. The two are now under medical treatment at the Lashio general hospital,” she said.

Some dozens of school teachers who were staying in the rural areas were ordered to move back to the town as soon as the killing was reported.

According to some residents in Tangyan, the Burma army assumed that the Shan army was the perpetrators while some local people thought that it could be a scheme by the Burma Army.

“If it were the handiwork of the Shan army, it would be because they were suspected as agents of the Burma Army. We heard that the one who was killed was a double-agent,” said another resident.

Regarding the Burma Army’s allegation, the Shan army said it would not gain any benefit by killing civilians, according to an officer who oversees the said areas.

The killing of 10 villagers in Shan State South’s Monghsu and Tangyan townships took place in the same period. To date, the culprits are still unknown.

At present, villagers in the areas are living in fear of the next killing that might happen again. Therefore some were reported to have been fleeing to the towns: Monghsu and Tangyan, according to local villagers.

Monghsu and Tangyan are two of the 4 townships where the Burma Army has launched an offensive against the SSPP/SSA since 13 March. The sound of gunfire is still heard everyday, sources said.

The ongoing conflict has affected more than 100,000 civilians, reported Chiangmai-based Shan community on 12 April.