Over 20,000 individuals, who had been confined in Laukkai Township in northern Shan State for nearly a month amidst intense fighting in the surrounding areas, began their return home on November 26th.
Fierce clashes between the Junta troops and the Kokang ethnic armed organization, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) have persisted in the vicinity of Laukkai since November 9th. As a result, tens of thousands of migrant workers and residents have found themselves stranded in the town for nearly a month.
"With MNDAA reopening all the routes, almost every migrant worker, including myself, has begun heading back home. Many colleagues, like me, are also leaving Laukkai. Some people are still left in the town”, a migrant worker leaving Laukkai told DMG.
On November 26th and 27th, hundreds of vehicles left Laukkai, with the majority heading toward Chinshwehaw. MNDAA is closely monitoring the situation.
Due to inspections by the Military Council at the 10-Tonne toll gate of Laukkai Township's exit point, some individuals are choosing alternative routes to Panghsang in Wa Self-Administered Division and then returning to Lashio, bypassing the main road.
While trapped in Laukkai, they experienced hardships including soaring commodity prices, scarcity of food and accommodation, and disrupted phone connections, according to those who managed to escape.
"A few thousand people are still in the town, where you can no longer purchase rice or other food items. All communication networks are down, except for the WiFi provided by the Chinese side. Upon leaving Laukkai and reaching Namtit, we regained access to Myanmar operator's phone lines and internet services. I have reestablished contact with my family now”, a migrant worker said.
On the morning of November 22nd, 14 civilians were killed when an artillery shell struck a vehicle that was getting ready to depart from Laukkai.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance, executing 'Operation 1027' as a strategic coordinated offensive against the Military Council in northern Shan State, has declared its intention to escalate operational efforts to the next level following significant victories on the battlefield. The Three Brotherhood Alliance has issued a warning that the impending battle to seize Laukkai will commence soon said to “undertaken for the pride of the Kokang people.”
