Tens of thousands of people have fled a column of 150 junta soldiers after they entered Salingyi Township, in Sagaing Region on 4 June.

People fled to safer locations and nearby towns from 20 villages in Salingyi Township, including the villages of Nyaungpingyi, Ohma, Htandaw, Ywashay, Theindaw, Hnintaw, and Shwe Inle, according to Captain Thu Rain, the leader of the Salingyi-based Hero Fighter Force.

They fled after junta troops reportedly crossed the Chindwin River in three boats from Monywa Town on the east bank to Salingyi Township on the west bank, on the morning of 4 June. Their arrival caused locals who feared there would be fighting in their areas between the junta and defence forces to flee.

Currently, the junta troops are stationed at Nyaungpingyi Monastery, having ejected internally displaced people (IDPs) who were sheltering there, according to a Salingyi PDF official.

The official said: “Army soldiers have been stationed at the Nyaungpingyi Monastery, which has caused the IDPs there to be displaced. The soldiers are patrolling and guarding the entrance and exit gates of Nyaungpingyi Village. We are continuing to keep an eye on their movements.”

Apparently, two local people were arrested when the junta troops moved into the area. Mizzima is still looking into the incident.

Captain Thu Rain said: “The identities of the two hostages are still unknown. We don’t know if they were IDPs staying in the monastery or Nyaungpingyi villagers. People don't dare to stay in the village because army soldiers are there right now, so the villagers have left. In the villages close to Nyaungpingyi, tens of thousands of locals have fled out of fear that army soldiers will invade, burn down their homes, and massacre the villagers. We are also scouting the junta’s movements.”

According to the Salingyi Hero Fighter Force, as of 2:30 p.m. on 4 June, the junta troops remain stationed at the Nyaungpingyi Monastery and have not yet entered any of the surrounding villages.