Following the military council’s decision to grant residents permission to return to several previously restricted areas in Loikaw, locals have reported a rise in thefts from their homes.

Many of these neighborhoods had been evacuated due to heavy fighting during the “1111” military operation launched by local resistance forces. Conflict-affected areas such as Daw U Ku, Ywar Tan Shay, Pankan, and Chike were recently reopened, with the military council allowing limited access earlier this month.

However, before residents are permitted to return to their homes, they are required to register for mine clearance and pay a fee of 50,000 MMK, according to local sources.

“At first, we had to fill out forms, prove ownership of the house, and submit our family registration list. When we initially checked the house, our belongings were still there. But after about three days during the inspection period, thieves had already broken in and taken everything—even the bamboo fence was gone. The authorities can’t really provide any proper security,” said a woman from Chike Ward.

Due to frequent incidents of looting in areas where return has been permitted, residents have expressed growing concern over the lack of safety and security.

Most residents have not fully returned to live in their homes but have instead been visiting to clean and assess mine risks. It is during this transitional period that many have discovered missing or stolen property.

Even after paying for mine clearance services, residents say the threat of landmines remains a serious concern.

“We had to pay 50,000 kyat for the clearance, but we didn’t see any actual mine detection equipment. They just used grass-cutting machine. It doesn’t feel safe to live there at all,” added another resident from Chike Ward.

Currently, many civilians who were previously displaced by conflict have returned to Loikaw from surrounding village tracts. However, landmine incidents continue to occur regularly, leading to fatalities, amputations, and other serious injuries, according to local reports.

As of now, the military council has granted permission for residents to return to more than ten wards in Loikaw that were previously affected by armed clashes.