Some return home in Laukkai as fighting eases

According to rescue volunteer Chit Mee, the refugees who were stuck in China have come back to Chinshwehaw and Kunlong through the forest.

“We are continuing for the rescue operations. People are heading south. No one is heading to the north. We are picking up those who come back. There have been about 150 refugees up to [February 25],” she said. 

Another rescue volunteer Nay Lin said: “We’ve arranged for 30 refugees to go back to Lashio this morning. We have helped evacuate over 5,000 refugees.”

As of February 24, over a hundred refugees were staying in Thiri Mingalar Mansu Monastery in Lashio. 

State media Global New Light of Myanmar reported yesterday that some 1,314 people from 389 households have resettled in Laukkai between February 22-24 as stability is restored. On February 24 alone, some 518 people returned to the township in Kokang Self-Administered Zone, as the armed forces, Tatmadaw, have combed the area for insurgents.

The fighting between the army and Kokang rebels erupted on February 9, forcing some 50,000 to flee. While the fighting started in Laukkai, it spread to nearby towns this week.

Myanmar has accused Chinese mercenaries of fighting with the rebels, and has urged China to cooperate with Myanmar to prevent "terrorist attacks" being launched from Chinese territory.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) emerged from the remnants of the Communist Party of Burma, a powerful Chinese-backed guerrilla force that battled the Myanmar government before splintering in 1989.

China Daily reported that at a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei denied any involvement in recent violence. 

"China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and it respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar," Hong said.

Kokang rebel leader Phone Kya Shin also denied that he has been receiving any help from Chinese citizens or mercenaries.

Speaking to the Global Times, an influential Chinese tabloid published by the official People's Daily, Peng said that there was no Chinese involvement.

"Since the 2009 incident, the Kokang side has strictly forbidden Chinese citizens from entering Kokang to join the MNDAA," Peng said in a telephone interview published on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, in a statement on February 22, the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), an armed ethnic group said it has no plan to join the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) to fight the Kokang rebels. 

In the statement, the DKBA implored political organisations and the public not to misunderstand its stance.

"The rumour that the DKBA seeks to cooperate with the Tatmadaw in the fight against the Kokang troops is spreading on social networks and is totally wrong. Like the DKBA, the MNDAA is one of ethnic armed groups that are struggling for their national interests," the statement said.

“In the past, some troops from the DKBA were transformed into the border guard force. The rumor may have been spread by these border guard forces,” said Colonel Maung Lay, the information officer for the DKBA.

“The DKBA has no plan to cooperate with the Tatmadaw to fight Kokang troops because the latter is one of the ethnic groups living in the country. If alien troops invade our country, every ethic group is responsible for defending our country. If so, we will join hands with the other ethnic groups, including the Tatmadaw, to fight against the alien troops,” Colonel Maung Lay said.