A bomb blast left four civilians injured yesterday afternoon in the town of Monghsu, 23 kilometres east of Shan State Army-North’s Wanhai headquarters in central Shan State, where government forces and rebel troops have clashed in recent days.
Monghsu resident Nang Hseng Hein told DVB that two young novices, an elderly woman and a young girl were injured in the explosion.
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“Four people were injured when a bomb went off in an alley between a Buddhist monastery in the town’s centre and the Shan Literature and Culture Association’s office around 4:10pm,” she said. “Two young novices around 10 years of age were playing behind the monastery. They were injured, as was a 70-year- old women who was fasting at the monastery. Also, a 12-year-old girl named Nang Kham Khin was hit by the blast. She is apparently the worst injured.”
The four victims are now receiving treatment at the town’s hospital.
Fighting between the Shan State Army- North and government forces flared in the past weeks, forcing some 2,000 local villagers in central Shan State to flee their homes. Most are sheltering in the forest.
Nang Hseng Hein said the streets of Monghsu are all but deserted after the explosion as more families leave the town or stay indoors.
Sai Tun Aye, a Shan Nationalities League for Democracy party candidate, said he has been unable to begin campaigning in the town amid the insecurity