Displaced Residents in Kyaukme Are Scared to Return Home Despite Fighting Stopped

“The displaced residents from Kyaukmegyi Group have returned home. Only Man San Village is left because their entire village has been burned down. They don’t have any houses left,” she explained.

Thirty-four people from Man-San Village are currently taking shelter at Kyaukmegyi Monastery, according to the chief abbot of the monastery.

Although the RCSS and the TNLA have often clashed in the past, the clashes only lasted for one or two hours but the fighting lasted for around ten days this time, Sai San Mya continued.

“We didn’t think the fighting would last this long so we didn’t bring any clothes. We went outside the village. We were unable to enter the village due to the continued fighting,” he said.

The fighting ended in the morning of March 19 and the entire Man San Village except a school and a community hall have been burned down at 5:30 pm. Seven houses in Tawt Hpei Village, which is one mile from Man-San Village, have also been burned down.

“Some residents have work in the village. Now, they are searching for the areas for relocation. We haven’t found a way to return home yet. We may return home when there is peace in the area. Some people have tea plantations and vegetable farms,” he added.

Man-San Village is 11 miles north of Kyaukme. The RCSS and the TNLA fought in Taw Hpei, Ohg Awee, Man-San, and Kun-Kaw villages under Kun-Kaw Village-tract.