Not Only Lack of Shelter but Also Hardship Due to Price Hikes for IDPs in Villages around Hpakant Area

Pajau Media

August 2, 2025

Due to fighting that started in May in the Hpakant area of Kachin State, not only residents within the town but also those in nearby villages are affected by conflict. Furthermore, since the military council has blocked all entry and exit points to the town, trade and transportation of goods have stopped, causing commodity prices to skyrocket and severe shortages in the town, making life extremely difficult for locals.

Starting from 8AM this morning, intense fighting broke out near Sharaw Hka village around Hpakant, with heavy artillery being fired continuously from the Hpakant strategic hill onto the clashing areas.

Fighting remains intense around Hpakant, and due to the military council’s roadblocks, no one can flee to other areas and people are forced to escape only into Hpakant town itself, locals report.

A person who fled into Hpakant town said, “We cannot go anywhere, since it’s only possible to get into Hpakant town, we came here. Even then, being in town doesn’t guarantee safety, as fighting keeps breaking out constantly. Life in the town feels like hell.”

An IDP who arrived at a house in Lone Khin town also said, “As soon as we heard the military column was advancing, we fled right away. Our village isn’t far, so we just came as close to Hpakant as possible, carrying just what we could on a three wheeled vehicle. Hiring one trip costs 200,000 kyat. Even now that we’re here, it’s no different. Because artillery shells keep falling, there’s really nowhere else left to run.”

Since the beginning of June, with the main roads to Hpakant blocked, rice prices have continued to increase, with a bag of “Eya Min” rice now costing 280,000 kyat and a bag of “Pawsan Mwe” costing up to 300,000 kyat.

The main villages where fighting is ongoing are Maw Mau Layang, Maw Wan Lay, Maw Wan Gyi, Ah Hmike Pone, Sharaw Hka, Nyaung Pin Kone, San Kywel, and Maw Taung villages. As of today, fighting continues to be fierce, and the military council’s airstrikes are reportedly attacking inside these villages.

News - Andy