Refugees flee fighting in Shan State

Source Mizzima, 9 April

On April 8, The Shan Herald News Agency reported that Shan rebels had clashed with Myanmar forces in Tangyan township in northern Shan State causing thousands of local people to flee their homes.

A Shan refugee camp along the Thai-Myanmar border [Photo: Clear Path International via Flickr]

A local resident told Mizzima that, "On April 5, the government army captured civilians to use as porters, forced civilians to walk over landmines and shot at the village with machine guns."

During late-March battles occurred everyday along the Thanlwin river in northern Shan State forcing 1,000 people from 16 villages to flock to Tangyan township to find safety in temples and religious centers.

"Some people have been injured from mine explosions and no one will risk returning to their hometown," said Sai Lu, a spokesperson of the Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD).

Currently, a rescue team is collecting refugees scattered all over Tangyan township and 420 war refugees have been settled at the Aung Mingalar monastery. However, the local rescue teams have said that they lack basic needs, such as bedding and healthcare.

On Friday, the Shan Sapawa Environmental Organization accused Myanmar military forces of "stoking war" in Shan State by giving an ultimatum to the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) to clear troops from the banks of the Salween River to make way for a Chinese-backed mega dam.