KACHIN STATE – It is reported that the residents of Mansi Town and the villagers near the town in Bhamo District have been ordered to move urgently by both Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the junta army.
A woman from Mansi said that the local residents of Mansi Town and some villages close to the town, including San Lon Yang Village, have been forced to relocate by the two armed forces starting from April 1.
“The people in the villages around Mansi Township might have to leave their homes for a week or two. Because of that, there are people who have been asked to evacuate emergencies in Mansi Township. Most of the people around Mansi Township departed from their homes,” she said.
At present, junta’s Light Infantry Battalion – 319 and police stations are still stationed in the town, and the locals have been ordered to move in advance by both forces because of the possibility of a fight.
Currently, the people were displaced to Mong Hkawng, Kawng Jar and Mung Ding villages on the upper side of Mansi. A displaced woman said that there were a lot of displaced people, causing difficulties in shelters and food.
“Most of the displaced people have sheltered in Mong Hkawng Village. There are two RC camps in the village and more than 4,000 people have sheltered there, so accommodation and food are difficult,” she said.
More than 300 out of around 500 houses have already fled.
The KIA and the allied Revolutionary Forces captured the junta’s Si Hkam Gyi base in Mansi Township of Bhamo District, at around 11:00 a.m., on February 19.