Villagers are afraid of fresh fighting between the Burma Army (BA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) after both armies dispatched troops to Nawngkio Township in northern Shan State.

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“We’re worried they’ll be a gunfight. It’s time for harvest and we are praying that fighting won’t start in our area,” a Nawngkio man told SHAN on condition of anonymity. He explained that the BA are along the highway and that the TNLA and People’s Defence Force (PDF) are in the jungle. He said if the BA enters the jungle, there will definitely be a fight.

According to locals, the BA sent 30 soldiers from its Infantry Battalion 114 and Ta’ang soldiers were sent to Si Khu, a village about 20 miles from Nawngkio town.

Besides, the Shan State Progress Party also has men in the township who could engage with the BA.

Since August, the Mandalay chapter of the PDF has been fighting the regime in Nawngkio Township.