Regime forces threaten to burn down houses of residents who have not yet returned to Kham Phat town

Ayeyarwaddy Times September 25 In the villages of Kham Phat town, Tamu Township, Sagaing Region, the military regime is threatening to burn down houses, exerting various pressures on residents who have not yet returned to their homes, according to local residents. The military regime has been warning residents of villages along the Tamu-Kham Phat road since August that their houses will be burned down if they do not return. "They have been pressuring displaced people to return since last month. Recently, they have threatened again that houses that do not return will be burned down," a resident of Kanma village in Kham Phat town told Ayeyarwaddy Times. Due to the threats from the military regime, some residents have returned, but those whose houses were burned down during the fighting are facing difficulties as they have no homes to return to. Furthermore, young people and parents are particularly concerned about the possibility of forced conscription by the military regime, even though they wish to return. "When the military regains control, there will be arrests to conscript young people, and young people and families with young people are still concerned about returning," a Kham Phat resident added. It is known that the military regime has re-established control over Kham Phat town and the Tamu-Kalay road, and has set up numerous checkpoints and built strong bases along this road.