This morning, it was reported that troops from the Military Council have once again set fire to Namlang Village and Naunglatgyi Village in Shwegu Township of Kachin State.

According to a local woman from Shwegu who spoke to KNG, troops from the Military Council entered Namlang Village and Naunglatgyi Village, which are neighboring villages east of Shwegu Township, at 6:00 a.m. on April 11 and proceeded to set fire to houses.

"It is known that Namlang and Naunglatgyi villages were burnt down this morning and many houses were burnt. It is not known exactly how many houses were burnt. It is known that the soldiers are now stationed at the monastery in the village. Some of the houses are still on fire," he said.

Namlang and Naunglatgyi villages, which were burned today, are situated approximately 10 miles away from Shwegu and are home to around 100 houses.

"The villagers have been fleeing since March 20. Now only the old people are left in the village who can't run away at all. They are said to have arrested them as human shields," said a woman from Shwegu.

Reports indicate that the elderly individuals who were arrested to be used as human shields are said to be over 70 years old. They are currently being held in monasteries located in Namlang and Naunglatgyi.

Since March 23, around 200 military troops from Bhamo and Shwegu have launched a combat operation targeting the eastern villages of Shwegu.

During the nearly 20-day period since the Military Council troops launched a combat operation on March 23, at least 10 villages, including Manwein, Simulay, Simugyi, Mankhar, Hngettadar, Sithar, Sithaung, Naunglatgyi, were subjected to airstrikes at least 8 times. Additionally, many of these villages were also burnt to ashes as a result of the attacks.