The fighting between the Military Council Troops and the Karen National Liberation Army – KNLA Brigade 5 in Hpapun Township left locals trapped in the villages near Hpapun Township and according to locals, their food supplies are almost running out.  

The residents of Hpapun Township have not been allowed to go out from the end of March due to the fighting, and since the fighting has continued, the people are facing food shortages.

At present, the locals are not allowed to go out due to the fighting, and besides, people who go out and the animals are affected because the landmines being planted outside of township and village.

“If this continues, we will have to eat rice porridge in the coming month. There is nothing we can do about it. Even if we have money, we cannot buy rice, oil, salt. I don’t dare to go out and fetch the food to eat because I don’t have an extra leg. If we face with the fighting when going out, it is not easy. They are firing everyday (artillery), “an unnamed local resident told KIC.

At present, Hpapun-Kama Maung Highway which is the main route for the trade is closed and the cargo trucks are not able to transport so the price of the basic food and the goods have increased and the shops have decreased in numbers, said the locals from Hpapun township.

The mobile internet and some telephone lines were shut down in Hpapun Township as same as other regions.

There is no fiber internet line and only the MPT operator is allowed to use it now.

The locals said there are many villages in Hpapun Township that do not dare to go out and villagers those are living near the river have fled and have taken refuge in Myaing Gyi Ngu on the other side of Thanlwin (Salween) River.

On April 27, KNU Brigade 5 in Mutraw District issued a warning letter to the people not to use the sidewalks on each side of the Khaw Pote-Hpapun-Kama Maung Highway and not to cross the places where the military council troops move around and can make ambush. A permission is needed when people travel to other townships and villages.

Similarly, the military council troops at the toll gates of Hpapun Township have allowed people to enter and exit from town only after requesting for permission.

Photo: the refugees from Hpapun who has fled due to the motor shelling by the military council troops in April