More than 3,000 people have fled Hakha town and the surrounding villages, fearing fighting will intensify after the Burma Army (BA) sent many troops to the region ahead of its clearance campaign against Chin resistance groups.

"It's unsafe for people to live in the town. They're afraid that the violence will escalate, so they've fled for safety," a man helping people in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps in Hakha Township told Khonumthung News.

Since mid-September, the army has shelled Hakha town almost every night. They've destroyed people's homes with artillery fire and soldiers have fired their rifles at residents, killing them.

After more than 400 soldiers in more than 50 military trucks and tanks arrived in the town on 20 October, everyone is on edge.

As more and more people are leaving, the IDP committee is building three camps for those who cannot stay with their relatives in villages Zo Khwa, Seng Thang and Mi El, a committee member said.

Twenty people from four families have been sleeping at the Christian University in Hakha.