Residents returning to Katha face gunfire and extortion during Ayeyarwady River crossing
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Phyo/Thant Zin (NP News) - January 16
A local man told The Statesman that the PDF was firing guns and demanding ammunition fees from residents trying to re-enter Katha township in Sagaing Region (Upper).
On December 29, 2025, fighting between the KIA and PDF forced many residents of Katha to flee their homes to Bhamo, Indaw, Monyin, and Tigyaing, as well as across the Ayeyarwady River to Shan State.
As the fighting in Katha has now subsided, displaced people are returning, including those arriving by boat from Kyantaw Village on the opposite side of the Ayeyarwady River.
A local said that the PDF group is using gunfire from the Kyantaw Village to prevent those entering by boat, shooting at them if they do not land, and forcing them to pay back the cost of the bullets when they arrive.
“When we were returning from the east bank, they called the boats from the other side. They called us and fired three shots. If we didn’t land, they beat us to death. If we did land, they demanded the cost of the bullets. They beat the people. They didn’t let them back into the Katha,” he said.
He also said that Katha residents who want to return via the Bhamo-Katha road are not allowed to do so and are being arrested for their complaints.
“People who return from the land route are also caught if they complain. Residents are not allowed to enter Katha. It’s the same in the Tigyaing area, Kyaukpon, and Kalon areas. They arrest young people. Government staff are not allowed to leave. They arrest them when they see them. It’s the same in the Indaw area. Many people avoid Indaw and Monyin,” he said.
In addition, the homes of internally displaced people in the city are also being targeted by looters.
“Right now, they are breaking into every house. There are thieves, including women, and they are using three-wheeled vehicles. It is the civilians who are suffering. Some people who fled escaped with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. It is extremely cold in the upper areas. There are elderly people there who have fallen ill and even died. It’s unclear whether they died from illness or from emotional distress,” said another local.