"Over 3,400 people from Lashio, Theinni and Kutkai townships, in northern Shan State, have been displaced by recent conflicts between ethnic armed organizations and the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw, local volunteer groups told The Irrawaddy. The groups, which are now assisting the displaced, told The Irrawaddy that people began arriving at camps opened in monasteries in the three towns over the weekend. U Haung Dawng, secretary of the Joint Committee of Northern Shan State Social Volunteer Groups, told The Irrawaddy that over 2,700 locals have taken refuge in the monasteries of Tayyar, Pannar, Makkinu, Hmine Tin and Mansu, in Lashio. In Kutkai 300 have sought refuge and in Theinni, 480. Those numbers, collected on Monday evening, do not included those staying with friends and relatives. Volunteer groups say they fear the number will rise. “The shooting can still be heard in Kutkai. No shootings were heard in Lashio but armed groups are still involved in confrontations there,” said U Haung Dawng. Another volunteer told The Irrawaddy that residents of a village outside of Lashio have fled en masse, though no fighting had been reported there. “There is enough food and clothing and enough space to accommodate the displaced for now, but if the conflict doesn’t end soon, we will face difficulties,” said U Than Zaw, a volunteer with Lashio-based Beautiful Heart..."