It is reported that around 15,000 people have been forced to flee from the SAC column due to the raids on the villages, in the western part of Depayin, Sagaing Region.
Today (September 30th), starting at 6:30 in the morning, a SAC column was launched to the western side of Depayin, and residents of 13 villages had to flee to safety in the heavy rain, said the Information Officer Htoo Khant Zaw (Ah May’s Thar) of People’s Defense Comrade (Force), based in Ye U Township.
“This morning, the column from the 71st Infantry Battalion Aung Lan-based that came out from Depayin towards the villages in the west of it. From Depayin, they raided Yin Twe and Lat Tee villages,” he said.
The column has been on a three-day raid to the eastern side of Depayin Town since September 25th, and this morning it has been raiding the western side.
He said, “On the 25th, 26th, and 27th, they entered from the villages of the southern side of Ye U Township to the villages of the eastern side of Dipaying. On the 27th, they entered Depayin Town from the villages of the eastern side such as Nyaunghla, Mue Kadwin, and Mae Oh. On the 30th, they continued to the western side of Depayin.”
Currently, the villages that have been forced to flee in Depayin Township are Inntan, Wa Bar, Mae The, Thing, Nyein Chan, Yin Twe, Lat Tee, Hnaw Pin, Bagan, Kyi, Aye Thar Yar (Pyan Kya), Nabae Hla, Makyee Sout and Kya Khat Villages, according to the Ye U Township IDP Support.
“They are also fleeing to the safe villages, and they are fleeing to the monasteries and the reception centers for IDPs. Some of the people have carts and cows, so they are camping in rain tents (huts) in the woods with kitchenware. There are about 30 IDP camps. They can’t be gathered a lot. If IDPs are gathered in one place, there is a problem with food,” he said.
Some local residents noted that the SAC troops are raiding in Ye U and Depayin townships alternately, and they are just raiding because they have no food and want to steal public property rather than clear the area.