CNI News
30 April 2024

Although the Pa-O self-administered region has become stable after the battles between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the revolutionary forces ceased, IDPs have not been able to go back to their native places reportedly.

Sesai Town that was damaged by the battles was being cleaned and some battles were breaking out in the border regions only, Saw Khun Kyaw Win, member of the central executive committee of the Pa-O National Organization (PNO), told CNI News.

" For the time being, most of the territories including Sesai and Maenal Mountain have become stable. Some battles are still breaking out in the border regions. To the best of my knowledge, some of IDPs ha gone home. But some have not been officially allowed to go home. Clearance processes including land mines are being carried out." he said.

The Myanmar Tatmadaw and the PNO have seized control of Sesai Town and the PNO might be militarily active in the No-6 Special Region; if there were other armed groups in their region, battles might break out, he said.

 While seeing the ruins of Sesai

The battles began between the PNO and the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) in San Phu Village, Hopong Township in January, 2024.

Locals had to flee to safety because of battles between the Tatmadaw/PNO joint forces and the PNLA allies and Sesai was burned and damaged. At present, the people were finding it difficult to travel and facing crises, a local of Pa-O region, told CNI News.

" Mainly, the people can't travel smoothly. The transport was difficult even when we were in the village. It's very difficult to do business or trade at present. So, we, the people want peace. The rainy season will set in soon. We'll have to grow. For that, we'll have to make preparation. Because it' difficult to buy necessary things, we want to be peaceful." he said.

While seeing a PNLO comrade

There has not been a situation in which local people can go home safely. However, some of IDPs have gone home, said Saw Khun Kyaw Win.

" Almost the entire Sesai was damaged. I can't estimate how much damage in the rural area and villages. Sesai was mainly damaged. There might be a little damage in the southern part of Pinlaung. In Hopong Township and Maenal Mountain, monasteries and four or five villages were damaged. The monasteries were set fire." he said.

According to the 2008 Constitution, Pinlaung, Sesai and Hopong Townships were designated as the Pa-O Self-administered Region.