Two villagers arrested on suspicion of spying for armed group in Myanmar

Two villagers have been arrested by the Myanmar authorities on suspicion of recruiting and spying for an armed group who attacked Monekoe in northern Shan state last December, Myanmar News Agency quoted the Information Committee of the State Counselor's Office as reporting Friday.

The two, DD Naung Latt and Lanjaw Gumsai, were also charged with supplying information and spreading false news on behalf of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

They had been wanted earlier by the government troops but fled to a neighboring country before they returned to Monekoe in late December when they were finally arrested, the committee said.

Investigation revealed that DD Naung Latt, disguised as the Chairman of Monekoe Baptist Church during the Monekoe attack, gave information of the government troops' activities to the armed groups, gave them money and spread rumors for foreign media to arouse mistrust between the government and the public and international communities.

Myanmar government forces have claimed control of Monekoe after two weeks' fighting early last December, 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 after fighting back and conducted area clearance operation.

Since then, the internal displaced persons, who abandoned their homes due to the conflicts, have returned homes after scrutiny by the local authorities.

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