More than 50 men between 18 and 50 years old from Pyin Yaung village in Minbya Township fled to nearby villages because they were worried about their safety when a military column entered the village, according to the village administrator.

A military troop with about 120 soldiers entered the village on the evening of 26 June and about 50 men fled in panic, said U Wai Hla Aung, administrator of the Pyin Yaung village.

They fled to Pan Myaung, Min Phoo and Ohe Pyin Taung villages, in response the military fired guns at the villagers who were running away but no one was injured, he added.

“They entered the village yesterday evening at about 5p.m. When they saw villagers were running from their homes, they shot. But, no one was hit,” he said.

He added that villagers fled from their home because they heard that soldiers beat up villagers.

“I am sure that soldiers will not shoot at people without any justifiable reason. I did not hear anything about this situation,” Colonel Win Zaw Oo said.

Currently, the military troop left the village, local residents said.