Over 900 displaced persons return to Mongko

 A total of 961 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to conflict-torn Mongko, Muse district in Myanmar's northern Shan state as situation there has returned to normal, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday.

Myanmar government forces have claimed control of Mongko which came under attack by a combined forces of three non-ceasefire signatory armed groups - Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).

The government forces regained control of the town on Dec. 4 and conducted an area clearance operation.

Military conflicts broke out in border area of northern Myanmar's Shan state on Nov. 20, with an alliance of the three ethnic armed groups launching simultaneous and surprise attacks on government's military outposts and police stations in Muse and Kutkai townships as well as Muse border trade center.

Their attacks targeted government military outposts and police stations in areas of Muse, Kutkai, Mongko, Kyukoke, Phangsai, Pangsang, Manken and Kyinsankyawk (Honang).

According to the figures of the government, a total of 14 people have been killed with 50 injured in the northern Myanmar conflicts.

About 14,000 local people were estimated to have fled the armed conflicts in northern Shan state across border.

source: Xinhua