Fighting between the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has forced over 400 rural residents to take refuge in a monastery in Namtu Township, northern Shan State and the residents are unable to return home due to the military tension between the two ethnic armed organizations.
Local residents of Wang Kut, Nar Tee, Pan Lot, and Wang Wine villages under Wang Hsawt Village-tract are taking shelter at Man San Monastery on March 10 and 11 due to fighting between the TNLA and the RCSS near the village-tract in the west of Namtu town. Man San Monastery is around three miles away from Wang Hsawt Village-tract.
“The internally displaced persons (IDPs) are taking refuge at Man San Monastery. Some of them will be sent to Pubbarama Monastery in Namtu since a Buddhist Novitiation ceremony will be held here on March 17,” said Sai Ba Nyan from the IDP Assistance Committee.
He said over 30 residents of Wang Hsawt Village will remain in Man San Monastery and over 300 residents of the remaining three villages will be sent to Namtu.
The IDPs are afraid to return home since both armies have not withdrawn their troops and tensions are still high between them up to March 13.
