As many as 2,500 people have been forced from their homes by recent clashes between regime and resistance forces in Chin State’s Kanpetlet Township, according to a local priest.
Of this number, nearly half are struggling to survive in forested areas without even basic supplies, he said.
“They had no time to prepare, so they’ve had no choice but to stay in caves in the woods. They don’t even have plastic to make tents, which means their health is really at risk,” he told Myanmar Now earlier this week.
Many of the displaced civilians are women, children and elderly residents of some 15 villages in the township, according to the priest, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
They are in need of food and medication, as many have become ill due to the poor living conditions, he added.
Fighting in the area began last Thursday, when a column of around 180 junta troops based in Kyaukhtu, in neighbouring Magway Region, raided a base operated by Battalion 2 of the Kanpetlet branch of the Chinland Defence Force (CDF).
Since then, residents of a number of villages, including San Eain Nuu, Sammathar, Ma See Twi, Kyawt Taw, Ngon Laung, Kan Laung, Ya Laung Pan, and Chin Latt Mon, have been displaced.
Salai Aung Ling, the deputy commander of CDF Kanpetlet, said the group has attacked junta troops stationed at the base every day since it was captured. It wasn’t until Sunday, however, that the regime forces left the base to fight back.
“After days of us firing at them, they finally came out to fight. It’s good that they did, because we were able to get more of them that way,” he said.
He added that his group also attacked Kanpetlet Township’s general administration office in the town of Kanpetlet on the same day, killing 15 junta troops stationed there.
According to CDF Kanpetlet, there are at least 400 regime forces in Kanpetlet, occupying the town’s school and police station, as well as the general administration office.
