The Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) announced that junta troops deployed Htibwar (Ye Phyu) Village, south of Hsihseng Town, on the border of Shan and Karenni States, and set fire to at least 24 public houses.
The Junta troops and PNO militias have been stationed in Ye Phyu village since early May, and nine villagers, including a pregnant woman, have been abducted by them and have not been released until today.
“Since then, the column has not returned, and houses were set on fire few days ago. At least 24 homes were lost, people’s property was also stolen, and heavy weapons were fired into the villages of Naung Kyaw and Kawng Wein Gyi. About 18 houses were also destroyed in those two villages,” PNLA spokesperson Khun Rain Yam told MPA.
In addition, Hpyar Khun Yaw, the head of Naung Bo Kan Taw Lay Village, who was arrested by junta forces on May 2, has not been released till now, Khun Rain Yam continued.
“He was arrested for communicating with revolutionary forces, and now we don’t get any pieces of information. We don’t know if he is dead or alive. These guys are arresting people, killing them, and burning down their homes, so people should be careful when they come and go around,” warned Khun Rain Yam.
A 30-year-old man who lives in Hsihseng Township said that fighting has been happening frequently in some villages of Hsihseng Township, but the fighting has calmed down in the town and some displaced people returned their homes.
“We don’t hear many shots anymore; everyone has not returned yet, only 20 percent. We still don’t get household electricity back; we only get streetlights, and we have to buy to use water. Shops are open back, but there are only few buyers, and sales are dull,” he said.
In the fighting that took place in May, more than 30 people were killed on the side of the army, and more than 13,400 people from more than 20 villages such as Kawng Wein Gyi, Nawng Kyaw, Naungyinn, Yephyu, and Kantawlay were also forced to flee.