7 villagers living in Mongton township of Shan State East, facing Chiangmai’s Wiang Haeng and Chiangdao districts, were killed by strong winds which also resulted in a large number of injuries and house damages, according to local sources.
“The wind was very strong. It came with a heavy rain. Trees fell down and the roofs of the house were blown away. And houses were broken by the collapsed trees,” said a local resident.
The winds struck at night around 8:00 pm (local time) on 17 April. It took place at Parng Maizalee village which consist of 30 households between Mongtaw and Monghta, a new sub-township of the Burma Army installed last year.
“4 died in Maizalee, 2 in Mongjawd and 1 from Monghta while many were injured,” he said.
According to sources, the known numbers of injuries were around 12. The roofs of about 80 houses in Mongjawd were blown away. New buildings and camps of junta-backed border guard force (BGF) unit were also damaged. Rubber plantations of the United Wa State Army (UWSA) units based along the Thai-Burma border were also destroyed.
Brig-Gen Than Htun Oo, Commander of Triangle Region Command, have reportedly arrived in the areas on 23 April for inspection, according to local sources.
“He had also said to have talked about military operation against rebels in the southern areas as well,” one of the sources said.
Mongton township is where the anti-Naypyitaw Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’ of Yawd Serk and fighters of the UWSA’s 171’s Military Region are active. It has also been a battleground for the Shan army and the Burma Army.
