YANGON-----In order to reduce inessential conflicts and to prevent losing voting rights of the civilians due to ongoing clashes between Military and Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) occurred in Kyaukme Township in northern Shan State, over 40 Shan civil society organizations (CSOs) and locals called for a ceasefire.

The Shan CSOs and locals sent a letter on October 11th heading to the Ceasefire Joint Monitoring Committee Shan State (JMC-S).

The renewed fighting between Military and RCSS occurred in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State, since the beginning of October 1st.

Locals were already facing healthcare, livelihood and food problems due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

The letter also reported that the locals now have to worry again about losing their lives and properties. There are over 2,600 displaced persons including pregnant women, children and disabled due to the ongoing clashes.

Shan CSOs urged the military and RCSS to stop fighting and to discuss it with each other because there may be prospects of losing voting rights and postponing the coming election-2020 due to fighting.

Likewise, the locals from conflict hit-villages in Kyaukme Township sent a letter to the JMC-S saying that the fighting between military and RCSS took place in the villages in Kyaukme Township. They are now taking shelter at the monasteries and religious buildings. They also have difficulties following the government’s COVID-19 guidelines and food problems.

If the fights continue, there may be impacts on health, agriculture and livelihoods of the people living in the conflict hit-villages, according to the letter.

Villagers also urged the JMC-S to settle the ongoing fighting.