A protest was held in the Kachin State’s capital Myitkyina on February 5 demanding the government to immediately rescue local residents who are facing living difficulties and health issues after being trapped between the fighting in Tanai area.
The Emergency Relief Committee for the Displaced People’s chair U Zau Jat said there are big concerns for the trapped residents so the protest was held to demand their rescue.
“The trapped people have been caught up between the clashes. It’s very dangerous. We have to rescue them first. We want the lines to be opened for assistance after rescuing them,” he said.
He continued that the public feel saddened by the government’s silence on this event.
“We want to tell the government that we are sad over their silence. They have only submitted a proposal to the hluttaw. We want them to work practically. We believe it’s their job to lead the country,” said U Zau Jat.
The Emergency Relief Committee for the Displaced People said the trapped residents are suffering from very cold weather conditions and diarrhea due to difficulties in getting food.
According to the committee, the trapped people need to be immediately rescued in Tanai area and Sumprabum in the northern Kachin State and the northern Shan State and humanitarian assistance needs to be provided to them.
“Many of the residents are unable to return home or come to the town due to the fighting. We are also suffering from the air strikes. We are facing difficulties because we have to stay there and we cannot return home. That’s why we have come to join the protest. By holding this protest, we hope the government will meet our demands,” said U Nuu Aung, who took part in the protest.
The protesters marched on the roads while shouting slogans to demand the safe return of the people trapped between the clashes, stop the prohibition against humanitarian assistance, and provide food supply to the trapped people.
The protesters said they have no issue if the armed groups fight in the areas far from residential areas and they are only objecting because the clashes are taking place in the residential areas.
Local residents have been trapped while others have to flee after heavy fighting broke out between the Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Tanai, Sumprabum, Mansi, and Hpakant townships in the Kachin State since early January this year.
Around 1,000 local residents, religious organizations, and civil society organizations participated in the public protest.
