At least 10,000 people cannot go back to their homes due to the uncertain climate caused by the so-called Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), according a leading member of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD).

Sai Than Maung, a representative of SNLD in Kyaukme Township, said most are rural villagers who are currently staying with relatives in the city of Kyaukme. However, he said, others have left their homes behind to seek employment in Thailand or China.

“Villagers are fearful of returning to their homes because of the uncertainty of the NCA,” he told Shan Herald. “In Tawsarng, for example, there are only Ta’ang [Ta’ang National Liberation Army] and Kachin [Kachin Independence Army] troops on patrol. The RCSS [Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army] and government troops cannot access that area.”

“In some villages, each house left one person behind to look after their property,” Sai Than Maung said. “But others left behind empty villages.”

He added that some 200 high school students are currently sheltering at local temples so that they can attend the school. In addition, some 2,000 children are being housed with their families.

A senior monk from Aye Metha temple in Kyaukme Township, who wished to remain anonymous, told Shan Herald that some villagers have moved out from the temple to find jobs. But, some of them are still at the temple.

He said that they could not go back homes because their houses were burnt down.

Fighting between the TNLA and RCSS/SSA first broke out in November last year, only a month after the government led by former President Thein Sein signed the NCA with eight armed groups. Although the RCSS/SSA was among the signatories, the TNLA was excluded from peace talks. The Ta’ang or Palaung militia was also absent from last week’s Union Peace Conference, hosted by Burma’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, at which some 750 delegates were present, including representatives of most ethnic armed groups.

Sai Than Maung said that he was optimistic the Union Peace Conference, informally dubbed the “21^st Century Panglong Conference,” would bring positive change to the country.

“We hope that positive things come from the Union Peace Conference,” he said. “However, the TNLA was not invited to participate, so things are still the same [on that issue].”

He alleged that the TNLA continues to collect taxes in areas under its control, and that most common people are afraid to go back to areas under its sphere of influence.

“People suffer as fighting continues,” he said.