Travel returns to normal on Sagaing–Mingun road after PDFs’ presence declines
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Nadi/Thuta Kyaw (NP News) - December 11
A source close to the security forces told The Statesman that the Sagaing-Mingun road is now safe to travel on as usual, and that the situation in Sagaing Township is almost free of PDFs.
Although Mingun is not far from Sagaing, PDFs have been fighting as far as Mingun, and have attempted to control the Sagaing- Mingun road.
After the Mandalay earthquake, rescue teams faced difficulties in delivering humanitarian aid and carrying out rehabilitation work because PDFs were present along this stretch of road.
The PDFs had hoped that if they could control Mingun, they would be able to threaten Mandalay militarily from the other side, but they have been forced to retreat from Sagaing Township due to attacks by the Tatmadaw and security forces.
The Sagaing-Mingun road was unsafe when it was first opened, but it has now reached a state where it can be traveled with confidence.
“We can now go peacefully. Security forces have been deployed. We are also donating to the displaced people. The Tatmadaw is operating around Sagaing. The PDF is almost non-existent in Sagaing Township,” said a source close to the security forces.
It is also reported that there are ongoing clashes between the Tatmadaw and the PDF group in Shwebo Township, near Taganan Village, Zee Taw Village, Aung Chanthar Village, and Phone Bwe Village, which are currently close to Sagaing Township.
Currently, farmers in the area are having difficulty harvesting their paddy because the PDF has planted mines in their farmlands.
“The difficult-to-harvest farmlands cover more than a hundred acres—probably around five or six hundred. And this is only one area. Across the whole region, PDF-planted mines may cover more than a thousand acres. I don’t dare to harvest the rice because I’m afraid of landmines,” said a Shwebo resident.