Displaced residents have decided to start returning to Kyaukme Town in northern Shan State after receiving reports that internet and electricity services will be restored there.

Since Operation 1027 recommenced on 25 June 2024, Three Brotherhood Alliance members, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) have captured the northern Shan State towns of Kyaukme, Lashio, Naung Cho (Nawnghkio), and Mongmit (Momeik).

During the peak of the fighting for these towns the junta launched airstrikes on residential areas of the towns. These destroyed many homes and other buildings, caused significant civilian casualties and forced many residents to flee to safer areas in southern Shan State.

After Kyaukme Town came under the control of the TNLA the fighting and airstrikes subsided. This, combined with reports that communication and power services will soon be restored, has persuaded residents of the town to start returning.

A person who is currently displaced from Kyaukme Town said to SHAN: “We’ve heard that the TNLA is planning to restore phone lines and electricity by the end of this month. Because of this, displaced locals are finding ways to return to their hometowns. My family plans to go back at the end of the month, but we’re holding off for now due to unstable security and high travel expenses.”

Other displaced Kyaukme residents currently sheltering in Mandalay Region were hoping to return along Highway 3 that passes through the junta-controlled Mandalay Region town of Pyin Oo Lwin. But, that has recently become a lot harder for Kyaukme Town residents because the junta is stopping any Shan State residents going through Pyin Oo Lwin.

Junta soldiers at the gate to Pyin Oo Lwin Town are enforcing strict checks of everyone’s National Identification Cards (NICs) and anyone whose NIC number starts with 13/xxxx, signifying that they are a resident of Shan State, is not allowed to enter or pass through the town.

This means that NIC holders registered in Shan State cannot travel directly north along Highway 3 to Kyaukme Town and have to use a longer alternative route. Instead of going north, they have to go south to the Shan State capital of Taunggyi City, in southern Shan State. Just before Taunggyi there are roads that go back up to Kyaukme Town and other towns in northern Shan State.

A Mandalay to Kyaukme bus service operator said: “Fuel prices have soared due to severe shortages, and vehicles have to wait in long lines for fuel. Since people can’t travel through Pyin Oo Lwin, they have to take a longer route from Mandalay to Taunggyi and then head north to reach home. Because of that, we’ve had to increase bus fares. Still, we’re trying to offer discounts to those in real financial distress.”
The current bus fare to go from Mandalay to Kyaukme via Taunggyi is 200,000 MMK. The fare from Taunggyi to Kyaukme is 150,000 MMK.

According to reports, displaced residents are also starting to return to Lashio Town in northern Shan State because, since it was taken over by the Myanmar National Democracy Army (MNDAA), fighting there has also subsided.

The first phase of Operation 1027 began on 27 October 2023, when the Three Brotherhood Alliance members, the TNLA, the MNDAA and the Arakan Army (AA), jointly launched coordinated attacks against the junta. During the first phase of Operation 1027, which ran until the Haigeng Ceasefire came into force on 11 January 2024, the Three Brotherhood Alliance successfully captured several towns and numerous junta outposts and bases.