The coup Military Council soldiers and militiamen from Pa-O National Army (PNO/PNA) had occupied civilian houses in Pekon Township, Southern Shan State.

Gunmen from PNO had entered and taken up positions in the houses in the village of Banmauk between Pekon and Pinlaung and the electricity had been cut until now, an unnamed man from Pekon told Shan Herald.

“Battles broke out in Pekon last month. After that, starting on September 28, PNO members entered the village and took up positions in the houses. The Military Council soldiers came along with them, but then they went back at the beginning of this month. Only PNO militiamen remained in the village”, the local said.

Electricity had been cut not only in Banmauk village, currently PNO gunmen were taking up position, but also in Shwe Pyi Aye, Kathe Villages in Pekong Township along with Konpaw and Nanmupha Villages in Pinlaung Township.

“In the past, we thought the electricity was cut off because of the fighting. Now the fighting is over. The soldiers of the Military Council had also retreated. Only PNO members remained in the village. But the electricity, still cut off”, the man told Shan Herald.

In September, there was a fierce battle between the coup Military Council and the local People's Defense Forces in Pekon and Mongpai, and both sides suffered casualties. In addition, civilians were also killed because of the Military Council’s artillery shelling.