Tens and thousands of IDPs from Paletwa are moved to Samee due to fighting, sources said.

“Now about 500 IDPs arrived in Samee but I don’t have the detailed list. The remaining IDPs are on the way. There are thousands of IDPs coming to Samee. Village tracts such as Watma, Pyaingtain, Meiksar 1, Meiksar 2, Meiksar 3, Ngamyintaung and Kyaingtaung are included. They rang me and we told them to stay where they are if they felt safe,” said MP Salai Myo Htike of Paletwa Constituency.

“About 800 IDPs have arrived at the general administrative office. They had been arrived in Samee for about 3 or 4 days. They are coming to Samee in groups. Some came with boats and some walked to the town. They don’t bring clothes. They are taking shelter at the general administrative office. I think they will be ok. Locals contributed labour but it is not enough. They need many requirements,” said Mi Cho from Samee.

A total of 21 locals have died in the fighting in Paletwa and 28 others had serious injuries.

“Villagers from six villages went to Samee to avoid the fighting. There will be about 670 IDPs. Now no one lived in Meiksar 1 Village. We are going to Samee on boats. We are the last ones to run away to Samee,” said Lai Pa from Meiksar 1 Village.

Communication access is being cut off in Paletwa on March 16 and locals from Paletwa are worried about it.