Residents flee fresh clashes in Shan state
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There have been renewed clashes between the Myanmar army and the Shan State Army (SSA), the armed wing of Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), according to a spokesperson of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD).
About 100 people are reportedly taking shelter in a Buddhist monastery after the clashes occurred in some areas of Kyaythee township, northern Shan state on June 20 and 21.
“The refugees are not taking shelter in the downtown areas. They are in the Wanpein Monastery, which has to arrange for their meals. The affected areas are in the jungles but they fled in fear,” said a local resident from Kyaythee township.
The local said more clashes happened on June 23 in the township’s Shiwanwit Village, with reports of government troops firing heavy weapons. Some homes were damaged but there were no causalities in the clashes.
SNLD spokesman Sai Lait a complaint by refugees that the government army had taken two of their number had been passed on to the government’s union peacemaking committee. The committee would cooperate with the SNLD in taking action over the complaint if it received an official letter from the SSPP, he added.
Despite reaching a ceasefire agreement in January 2012, government forces and the SSA have since clashed several times. More than 1,000 local residents left their homes after the clashes started in Tangyan on March 28.
The clashes continued after the government’s peace group and the SSPP reached a four-point agreement on May 11.
The SSPP/SSA confirmed the clashes but gave no details when contacted by the Daily Eleven.
