On Monday, the regime’s forces set fire to nine properties in a village on the road between Hakha and Gangaw in Chin State.

Burma Army (BA) soldiers torched seven houses and two public buildings in Thee Nam, a villager who requested anonymity told Khonumthung News.

He said a column of 150 soldiers arrived in the village, about 36 miles from Hakha town, on 26 March and stayed in the 2 churches until they moved on to Lam Thok two days later.

Another source, also requesting his name remain secret, said that all 700 residents fled into the jungle when they learnt that the column was on its way to their village, which has about 105 houses. He said they’d been living there for a week, divided into six groups.

Five people had fallen ill, the man said, but they were afraid to return to their homes.

The BA column has been seen between Hakha and Gangaw since 17 March.

Fighting has broken out near Zo Hkwa and Ywa Van between the BA and allied groups, the Chin National Army and the Hakha Chinland Defence Force, causing residents of these villages to flee into the jungle as well.