Hostilities in Nawngkio Township have prevented villagers from returning to their farms since mid-April. Clashes between the Mandalay People's Defence Force (PDF) and the Burma army displaced thousands after Thingyan ended. Now, they are eager to get back home in time for the plowing season. A woman from Nawngkio town, who was forced to flee the fighting, said the Military
Youths from Nawngkio Township, whose names were randomly selected from a list of civilians for forced military conscription, were sent to the military training school in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region, which is about 35 miles from the township. Government officials, including village and ward administrators, selected them from a lottery of individuals between 18 and 35 for