PNA troops to be allowed to retreat by repairing roads, village administrators who do not comply will be punished

Mekong | July 27 It has been learned that a PNO official instructed that village roads in areas where fighting may occur in Paung Township, southern Shan State, be repaired and maintained, and that village administrators and officials who do not comply will be punished. A PNO official stated that the transportation situation in most villages in the Pa-O region is poor, and that the roads leading into and out of villages are particularly difficult to use in areas where fighting is occurring. He added that due to such circumstances, it is necessary to quickly repair the roads, as difficulties may arise for PNA troops in their retreat under military conditions. "If the roads are not good when retreating after losing a battle, it can cause difficulties for the soldiers. Therefore, the roads must be repaired. Village administrators and officials who do not comply will be punished," the PNO official told the village officials, according to sources. Paung Township is one of the areas where frequent battles have occurred between the SAC troops, PNA, and allied revolutionary forces since 2023. Residents say that due to the fighting, roads and bridges in some villages have been damaged, forcing residents to flee their homes, and causing difficulties in agriculture and commodity transportation. "Good transportation is essential infrastructure for the people. I have never heard of roads being repaired for military purposes, or being kept open for villagers to flee into if they lose a battle. It is the government's responsibility to ensure good transportation. Now, it seems like the responsibility is being shifted back to the people," a local resident told Mekong. Residents say that transportation is an important infrastructure not only for military purposes but also for the daily travel, health, education, and economic activities of the people, and therefore, there are criticisms regarding the instruction to repair roads in connection with military affairs.