13,000 flee villages in Myanmar: peace network
Ongoing armed clashes between government troops and forces from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) since late October this year has displaced more than 13,000 local residents in the northern region of the country, according to the Kachin Peace Network (KP
Kachin State encountered several clashes in Mansi Township, where people from 13 villages have fled their homes.
The KPN organised a press conference on Sunday in Yangon to talk about the Mansi’s armed clashes.
“We cannot say how many armed clashes broke out as the clashes still continue. It’s estimated that more than 13,000 local people fled their villages since late October. But some were supposed to return to their homes later,” said Khum Gyar from KPN.
Clashes
The government said the clashes started after troops chased illegal timber cutters in late October. But the KPN said there is no timber to produce in Mansi and most came from Mandalay and Sagaing.
Khum Gyar added that the clashes broke out along a rail route under construction connecting China to the Mandalay-Bhamo railway.
After a 17-year-long ceasefire between the government and the KIA, fighting resumed in June 2011.
A 2013 report issued by Myanmar Peace Monitor, which monitors the peace process, said more than 100,000 people fled their homes and new refugee camps have sprung up in Kachin due to armed clashes between government troops and the KIA in 2011 and 2012.
The clashes also created refugee camps in government-controlled towns such as Myitkyina and Waingmaw.
