Over 200 internally displaced residents (IDPs), who are taking refuge in Kyaukme, have been living in Kyaukme by renting homes as they are afraid to return home.
The IDPs are afraid to return home to Kun Kaw and Taw Hpei villages under Kyaukme Township even though the situation is currently stable since both the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army – South (RCSS/SSA-S) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) are still active around their villages and they are worried over possible resume in fighting, according to the IDPs.
“The monastery where the IDPs were staying in Kyaukme no longer accepts them. Some of them have returned home. The remaining groups are afraid to go back. The number [of the remaining IDPs] is over 200. Some of them are staying at their relatives’ homes. Some of them don’t have relatives so they are renting the homes,” said U Lone Thein Ngwe from Kyaukme Namhkone Parahita Association.
The rental price is between Ks 20,000 and 60,000 and the IDPs are currently working on daily wages and earn Ks 5,000 per day.
“It’s difficult for us to survive for long without an income. Skirmishes are still breaking out when we try to return home. Both [armed] groups are still moving around the villages. So, we have to live in the town by renting a home since before Thingyan,” said an IDP from Taw Hpei Village
Local residents were forced to flee after fighting broke out between the RCSS/SSA-S and the TNLA in March.
The Tatmadaw has been fighting both the RCSS/SSA-S and the TNLA since early May.
