Network Media Group / BNI Online | October 2, 2018

The locals fled their Kutkai Township village after shells landed nearby during recent battles between ethnic armed groups and the Burma Army.

Nearly 200 people internally displaced by armed conflict in northern Shan States Kutkai Township returned to their homes on Monday, according to a pastor from the church where they had sought refuge.

“A total of 198 people returned home this morning, Pastor Khun Gam of the Kachin Baptist Church in Hsipaw Township told NMG on October 1. They said the situation is stable in their area, so I allowed them to go back.”

The internally displaced people are from Mang Piang village, located between Hsipaw and Kutkai townships. According to Khun Gam, the villagers fled after shells landed in their community during recent battles between ethnic armed groups and the Burma Army.

Three villagers got injured, he said. Some villagers saw ethnic armed group soldiers when they went outside the village. Soldiers from government forces were staying inside the village. Villagers were worried that battles would reach their village. Thats why they came here.

On September 29, the Burma and Ta ang National Liberation Army clashed near Mang Piang. Two fights also broke out between Kawng Khar and Nam Oum villages and another occurred on the local Nampaw bridge.

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This article originally appeared on BNI Online on October 2, 2018.