The military junta burnt to ashes more than 90 houses of Namhu village, which have more than 100 households, in Menal Taung region, Hopong Township, Southern Shan State, on March 13.
Khun Rein Yan, spokesperson of the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) said that the junta troops and their subordinate militiamen were stationed near Namhu village, and they burned down the entire village as a threat to the residents.
“Our troops haven’t reached those areas yet. It is still convenient to arrive there. To get to Namhu village, we have to cross many fields. That’s why the junta troops are threatening the local people,” Khun Rein Yan said.
In addition, after the junta troops burned down Namhu village, they spread false news saying that the resistance forces did this burning so that it caused misunderstanding between the resistance forces and the people, he added.
“The junta troops intentionally burned down the village without a fight. It is still being investigated about casualties. The phone line is not a good connection in this village,” said a Pa-O young man from Hopong.
Currently, the residents of Namhu village, where almost the entire village was burnt down, are reportedly fleeing to safe villages.
Last March 12, the junta troops from Saik Kaung village reportedly opened fire with heavy weapons on Hsi Hseng town more than 80 times, destroying at least 14 homes.