Thousands of trapped people leave Laukkai

By Admin 28 Nov 2023

DMG Newsroom
28 November 2023, Laukkai

Over 20,0000 people trapped in Laukkai for nearly a month due to the fighting outside the town in northern Shan State have been allowed to leave the town since Sunday.

Thousands of migrant workers and local residents have been trapped in the town since November 5 following fighting between junta troops and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) outside the town.

A migrant worker in Laukkai said: “People including migrant workers are leaving the town after the MNDAA has lifted the blockade. Some people remain in the town, however.”

Thousands of vehicles carrying town residents left Laukkai for Chin Shwe Haw on November 26-27. MNDAA members were monitoring the exodus as they left the town, according to residents who left.

As junta troops are carrying out checks at Sel Tan checkpoint outside the town, some have taken detours to go to Lashio via Namtit and Panhsang.

Migrant workers who have fled from Laukkai said they were hungry because of soaring food prices, had difficulties securing accommodation and lost access to phone services while they were trapped in the town.

“There are still thousands of people in the town. We could hardly buy rice and food in the town. We only had access to Chinese Wi-Fi. Only after we arrived in Namtit, we could use Myanmar SIM cards and mobile internet, and get back in contact with my home,” said a migrant worker.

Fourteen people were killed when a vehicle fleeing Laukkai town was hit by an artillery shell on November 22.

On November 27, as Operation 1027 turned one month old, the Brotherhood Alliance announced that it would step up the offensive to realise its political and military objectives. The alliance said it would soon launch an attack on Laukkai to retake the town for ethnic Kokang people.