Myanmar’s junta has ordered its staff to leave the northern Shan State capital Lashio following the ongoing offensive by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and its allies.
A spouse of a member of the junta’s municipal department in the capital told The Irrawaddy that her husband was ordered by Naypyitaw to move to the southern Shan State capital Taunggyi in mid-July.
A member of junta legal staff in northern Shan State confirmed the order. He said other employees in northern Shan State, including Lashio, have been instructed to move to Taunggyi to continue to work for the junta.
The MNDAA and its allies attacked Lashio, home to the military’s Northeastern Command, on July 3. The MNDAA said on Thursday that it captured the headquarters and its troops are clearing the city. But the regime denies that Lashio has fallen.
Lashio residents say gunfire is still audible.
A government employee who fled to Taunggyi with her family told The Irrawaddy on Thursday: “The situation was bad. [Junta] troops outside the town had fallen and Kokang troops had entered the city. Shells were landing across the city. My neighbors said they were also leaving.”
All their homes had been locked up and abandoned, she added.
“Only soldiers and police were left,” said a high school teacher from Lashio who is now in Yangon.
He said many teachers from Kyaukme, Hsipaw and other towns had gathered in Lashio and the education department did not tell them where to go.
He is looking for somewhere affordable to live in Yangon.
All their homes had been locked up and abandoned, she added.
The Brotherhood Alliance seized Laukkai, Konkyan, Chin Shwe Haw, Kunlong, Namhkam, Hseni and Kutkai during Operation 1027 until the China-brokered ceasefire on January 10 and the regime’s public sector staff moved to Lashio where they continued to work for the junta.
Now they have been instructed to leave Lashio, causing some of them to take refuge in Yangon, Mandalay and Taunggyi.
But transport costs have surged during the fighting.
The junta legal staff said the journey would cost him six months’ wages.
The MNDAA said on Thursday that its administrative body would take over administration, restore law and order and defend the city.
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