Local residents are feeling very concerned over the fighting between the Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) at the villages on the Ledo Road in western Kachin State.
Local residents fled to the Catholic Church and the Baptist Church after the Tatmadaw and the KIA clashed near Shahtu Zup Village at 6 PM on January 22.
The fighting lasted from January 22 evening to January 23 morning and the Tatmadaw's 297th Infantry Battalion, which is based outside the village, assisted in shooting the heavy-guns, according to a local resident.
Shanni (Red Shan) People’s Militia from the village has also fired shots inside the village, the local resident said.
However, civilians and houses have not suffered any damages.
A skirmish also broke out between Ting Kawk Village and Nam Hpyek on the Ledo Road this morning (January 23).
A local resident of Ting Kawk Village said it is difficult to make a living due to the fighting.
“It’s very scary. As I’m a villager, I have to make a living by going inside the forest. Now, I can’t do it in this situation. Some people earn their living on a daily basis. It has become very difficult for them [to earn a living],” he said.
Fighting has been raging between the Tatmadaw and the KIA in the Hukawng, where amber mines and gold mines are situated, in the west of the Kachin State.
The Tatmadaw is still ruling out motorcycling on Myitkyina-Tanai Road.
