Lashio – Fighting broke out again near No.291 Infantry Regiment in Nantpaung Village on Lashio-Mongye-Tantyan road in northern Shan State on August 29 and war refugees are waiting to return home, sources said.

“Now the situation is stable and we heard heavy gun fires more than yesterday. Now the explosion is heard from the distance. No shell is landed to our village. Three shells landed near our village yesterday and no one has injured,” said the village administrator.

War refugees from Nantpaung Village and nearby villages are taking shelter at Myole and Wailuwon monasteries in the village.

“The fighting occurred near the army base and we do not dare go out. Shops are closed and we don’t see anyone on the streets,” said Nan Thazin Oo from Nantpaung Village.

Buses running between Lashio and Mongye cannot run due to the fighting.

“The vehicles from our bus station cannot go out for two days now. The bus from Mongye left the day before yesterday arrived in Lashio today. Cars are waiting at Namabawda Village between Nantpaung and Mongye. We are selling tickets and if we cannot go, we refund them,” said a person from Shwe Mongye bus station.

The village where the fighting occurred is located about 26 miles away from Lashio.

More than 800 war refugees from Nantpaung Village are taking shelter at Thirimingalar Mansu Monastery and Myitta Yin Kwin welfare association in Lashio and  Myole and Wailuwon monasteries in the village.