Nearly 10,000 people have been trapped in the west of Bamauk Township in Sagaing Region’s Katha District, since 18 September due to intense fighting according to a local news source.

It said that defence forces led by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) had been fighting against the junta-led forces of the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) since 18 September till now in Bamauk Township.

According to locals, nearly 10,000 villagers from 1,945 households in the village tracts of Nawng Pat, Man Wein and Na Mar are reportedly trapped in their villages because the SNA soldiers have forbidden them from leaving the area.

“The SNA has blocked all the roads in the western part of Bamauk [Township] for a month. Some older people have passed away because they couldn’t get to the hospital on time. There has been frequent fighting between the junta army and the KIA-led forces here.

I heard that the fighting has again intensified”, said a source close to local people’s defence forces (PDFs) in the area.

The SNA has blocked roads in the western part of Banmauk Township since 14 September.

According to locals on 20 September the junta launched airstrikes in Banmauk and the fighting has seen casualties on both sides.

The junta has also completely shut down the telecommunications network in Bamauk Township since 4 March 2022.

Mizzima is still looking into the stories of fighting and trapped villagers in Bamauk Township.