As the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) prepares to withdraw from Mogok Town in Mandalay Region, many residents are making plans to flee. However, soaring bus fares are making it difficult for them to leave, locals said.
Under a China-brokered ceasefire, the TNLA has pledged to withdraw from Mogok Town. However, its ally, the People’s Defence Force (PDF), has vowed to continue defending the town, raising serious concerns among residents about the potential outbreak of intense fighting.
Town residents currently face staggering bus fares of MMK 800,000 per person to travel from Mogok to Mandalay City. Despite the cost, residents said around 20 buses still depart the town each day.
“Right now, a bus ticket costs 800,000 MMK, which means only the wealthy can afford to leave the town. About 20 buses are leaving Mogok every day. They used to start departing as soon as the town gates opened early in the morning,” said a source close to the town’s bus operators.
Mogok residents have traveled along the Mogok–Momeik (Mongmit) Road and then continued toward Mandalay, passing through Takaung Town and Kyarhnyat Village in Thabeikkyin District, Mandalay Region.
Locals, fearing that heavy fighting is imminent, are closing their businesses and leaving the town.
The PDF, which fought alongside the TNLA to capture Mogok Town, has deployed additional troops there and is closely monitoring the TNLA’s planned withdrawal, sources close to the PDF said.
“Right now, there are a lot of young PDF members in the town. A major battle could happen, but so far, the TNLA hasn’t withdrawn, and things are still calm,” he told The Voice of Shan-Ni.
Some Mogok residents are also monitoring the situation, intending to leave the town only when the TNLA troops begin to withdraw, and fighting is certain.
Among the routes leading to Mogok, the junta has regained control of the Hpawttaung intersection on the Mogok–Mandalay Road, the area around Doepin Village on the Mogok–Pyin Oo Lwin Road, and Mongtin Village on the Mogok–Kyaukme Road.
