Myanmar military tightens security in Kokang capital

Myanmar military has tightened security measures in Laukkai, capital of Kokang region in northern Shan state, following an explosion in a house in the town, official media reported Sunday.

The house belongs to the former leader of the Kokang self-administered zone.

A search of the damaged house in Thursday blast led to discovery of five pieces of a propelled explosive round, the report said.

Further investigation revealed that the projectile had been launched from a hill, 1.6 kilometers northwest of Laukkai and the pieces belonged to a 107mm rocket launcher.

The security forces also found suspicious package comprising night-vision binoculars, 107mm rocket launchers and grenades around a hill, 3.2 kilometers northwest of Laukkai, the report added.

On Nov. 18, 2015, Myanmar government announced lifting military administration order imposed in the Kokang self-administered zone, once torn by armed clashes between the government forces and Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in February of the year.

The government claimed that it has brought the Kokang region under its control following the heavy clashes.

MNDAA unilaterally declared ceasefire in June of the year for the sake of stability and peace along the border and in view of the fact that the country's 2015 November general election was then approaching.

MNDAA was not invited by the government in peace deal although the government has initially signed the Nationwide Cease fire Accord (NCA) with eight armed groups on Oct. 15, 2015.

The ethnic side proposed MNDAA for inclusion in the signing process but the government suggested to have separate talks with the group before it is done. Endit