Ahead of Peace Conference, over 500 Shan locals flee from Tatmadaw’s offensives against RCSS

A total of 357 people from 102 households are taking shelter in Lwel Settaw Monastery and 94 people from 30 households are taking shelter in Kone Mone Monastery in Ham Ngaing Village. Other villagers and teachers have fled to Ton Law, Nam Lan, and Kyethi, Mongyai, and Mong Kung areas, according to the Shan State Hluttaw MP Sai Lon from Mong Kung.

“The internally displaced persons (IDPs) are taking shelter in two monasteries: Lwel Settaw Monastery and Kone Mone Monastery. We can’t even go to Kong Mone Monastery due to heavy rain and a broken bridge. Over 500 IDPs have been listed. More IDPs may be included in the list. There must be less than 600 people since some people are living at their relatives’ homes. We will meet with the monks and the public today to assist the IDPs. Then, we will provide necessary assistance,” said Sai Lon.

The rural residents fled from their homes in fear from the falling of artillery shells inside their villages and fighting near their villages.

“Two middle schools and five primary schools have been closed. The teachers also have to flee from the fighting. The monk is providing meals to the IDPs. No assistance programs and organizations have arrived yet,” the MP continued.

A Shan military commander said the Tatmadaw has been tracking and attacking the RCSS/SSA troops, which are active in Mong Kung Township of Loilen District in the southern Shan State and Hsipaw Township of Kyaukme District in the northern Shan State.

The Tatmadaw has been carrying out the military offensives after warning the RCSS/SSA to withdraw its troops during the Union-Level Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC-U) meeting.

The RCSS/SSA, however, claims that it has not signed any agreements on assigning the location of the armies and the agreement states that the RCSS/SSA can be active in the area they have arrived in and the Tatmadaw has to inform the RCSS/SSA ahead before becoming active in the mountain area, which is over 50 yards from the road.

While the third session of the Union Peace Conference, also known as the 21st Century Panglong Conference, is being held in Naypyidaw to obtain genuine peace, hundreds of Shan residents have become IDPs due to the Tatmadaw’s attack against the RCSS/SSA, which is a signatory of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA).