Speaking before the Shan State Hluttaw (parliament) on Thursday MPs from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) called  for assistance to be given to displaced civilians in northern Shan State’s Kyaukme Township.

Reached for comment, Sai Tun Ngan, an SNLD MP representing Kyaukme Township Constituency No 2, told SHAN that thousands of villagers were forced to flee their homes due to the ongoing fighting in his township.

“Over 4,000 IDPs from 50 villages including Taw Sang, Mong Kong, Ngaung Mong and Parng Jarm, are now staying in 19 shelters in Kyaukme Township,” he said.

Clashes between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) first broke out in Namkham and Namsan townships on November 27 last year. The conflict intensified again on February 7.

Sai Tun Ngan accused government forces, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) of being involved in the dispute in northern Shan State.

“It’s unacceptable that they (the military) burned down villagers’ houses, took over their properties and barricaded themselves using civilians as a shield against other armies,” he said. “This kind of action is against international law and contravenes the military code of conduct.”

The proposal was also supported by Nang San San Aye, an SNLD MP from Hsipaw Township Constituency No 1. The Shan State Hluttaw will review the proposal on February 26 at which time the proposal will be approved or denied.

BY SAI AW/ Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)