Mandalay earthquake survivors expected to pay electric bills
Residents of Mandalay, one of the six regions hardest hit by the March 28 earthquake, have criticized the regime for sending out electricity bills in the wake of the quake. They said those who lost their homes during the quake are still required to pay for electricity consumed prior to March 28. Mandalay is located 15 miles (24 km) east of the earthquake epicenter in Sagaing Region.
A Mandalay resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that his bill for electricity from March was due by April 21. He added that the earthquake damaged his home, so he needs to make repairs and hopes the regime will either postpone the due date or reduce the amount owed. DVB has documented that the death toll is 4,426 bodies with 2,865 bodies recovered from Mandalay Region.
Residents are required to pay combined electricity bills for March and April by May 1. Those with damaged meter boxes must report it to the regime’s Electric Power Corporation. The regime Ministry of Electric Power has doubled electricity per unit since Sept. 1 with residents paying from 50 MMK ($0.01 USD) and commercial users paying from 250 MMK (0.05 USD) depending on amount of usage.
Naypyidaw control of Lashio raises concern in northern Shan State
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) claimed that Ommati village in Nawnghkio Township, northern Shan State, was hit by an airstrike on Tuesday. No casualties were reported but it’s concerned that the regime retaking control of Lashio Township may increase pressure on Hsipaw, Kyaukme and Nawnghkio townships, which are located 45-96 miles (72-154 km) southwest of Lashio and are under TNLA control.
“After the regime signed a ceasefire agreement with the [MNDAA], the TNLA became its sole target in northern Shan,” Zin Yaw, a former Burma Army soldier who defected to join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) after the 2021 coup, told DVB. He added that the regime could apply pressure on the TNLA through the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the United Wa State Army (UWSA).
A source close to the TNLA told DVB that the regime wants to recapture Nawnghkio next. The TNLA accused the Burma Air Force of dropping “poison gas” bombs during fighting near Taunghkam village in Nawnghkio on Monday and claimed 10 of its fighters were injured. China is reportedly preparing to host another round of talks between the regime and the TNLA after the first meeting in February failed to reach an agreement.
China Special Envoy to Myanmar monitors ceasefire
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun confirmed China’s presence in Lashio at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday. “Both parties commended and thanked China for its constructive role in maintaining peace and stability in northern [Burma],” he said in response to a question from Chinese broadcaster Shenzhen TV. He added that Beijing respects Burma’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China Special Envoy to Burma Deng Xijun is in Lashio to facilitate the handover from the MNDAA to the regime as part of a China-brokered ceasefire agreement reached on Jan. 18. The return of Lashio to Naypyidaw control and the exchange of prisoners of war between it and the MNDAA was included in the agreement, a source close to Naypyidaw told DVB. Neither side has shared details of the ceasefire agreement.
Lashio residents told DVB that about 70 military vehicles transporting an unknown number of armed regime personnel arrived on Tuesday, which was the final day of the MNDAA handover. The regime will control 12 neighbourhoods of Lashio while the MNDAA will administer the outskirts, sources told DVB. The regime extended its nationwide ceasefire on Tuesday from April 22-30.
News by Region
CHINLAND—The Chinland Defense Force (CDF) told DVB that four members of the Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA) were killed during fighting in Tonzang Township on Sunday. Tonzang is located 124 miles (200 km) north of the state capital Hakha.
“The military has supplied the [ZRA] with weapons, ammunition, and drones,” Salai Htet Ni, the Chin National Army (CNA) spokesperson, told DVB. The CNA supports the CDF in Tonzang. A force of 500 ZRA troops were involved in the fighting but retreated after facing casualties.
SHAN—The Danu People’s Liberation Army (DPLA) told DVB that fighting occurred with regime forces in Lawksawk Township of southern Shan State on Monday. “Both sides suffered casualties, but we don’t know the exact number,” a DPLA spokesperson told DVB. Lawksawk is located 46 miles (74 km) north of the state capital Taunggyi.
The DPLA stated that it has engaged in battle with regime forces 67 times since January. It accused the regime of using “poison gas” near Taunghkam village in Nawnghkio on Monday, after its members experienced a sudden drop in blood pressure, dizziness, and vomiting. Taunghkam is located 20 miles (32 km) south of Nawnghkio.
The Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) stated on Wednesday that its headquarters in the Ka Du Gyi area of Naunghtaung village, Mawkmai Township, was attacked by artillery on Tuesday. Mawkmai is located 132 miles (212 km) south of Taunggyi.
“The military [used] artillery, including howitzers,” a PNLO spokesperson told DVB. An unknown number of homes were destroyed. The PNLO claimed that there was no fighting in the village and that a clinic was destroyed by an airstrike on Dec. 31, 2024.
