Conflict Lead Story News Shan Ta'ang
Clashes between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Tatmadaw erupted in Khay Khin and Man Wel villages, part of Namhsan Township, Shan State, on Tuesday morning, sending more than 100 locals fleeing to neighbouring Namtu Township.
Several fatalities have been reported from the front line near Man Lan, where Burmese troops overran a Ta’ang [Palaung] rebel base.
A high school, a government office and a sawmill were hit by stray bullets when TNLA clashed with Burmese troops.
Local MP says MOC-1 launched artillery strikes towards a village outside the town amid clashes with TNLA.
The 324 villagers are now being sheltered at a Buddhist monastery in Man San village near Namtu town.
Ethnic issues Lead Story Photos Shan
During the 71st Shan State National Day commemoration at the headquarters of the Restoration Council of Shan State’s Loi Tai Leng headquarters, European ambassadors and UN representatives rubbed shoulders with ethnic armed group leaders.
Clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) erupted in several remote villages of Kutkai Township, Shan State, in recent days, sending possibly hundreds of locals fleeing to Kutkai town and the neighbouring township to the south, Hseni.
The trio – DVB’s Aye Nai and Pyae Phone Aung, and The Irrawaddy’s Lawi Weng – were arrested at a checkpoint while returning from TNLA territory.
Clashes between Tatmadaw troops and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) flared in three northern Shan State townships on Wednesday, the ethnic armed group has announced.
In a surprise Friday announcement, the Tatmadaw said that it will be dropping charges it had brought against six journalists, including a high-profile “unlawful association” case it had brought against two reporters from DVB and one from The Irrawaddy news outlet.
Skirmishes between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State saw four civilians injured by artillery fire early Sunday morning, and potentially hundreds more flee out of fear for their safety.
The third hearing in the case of a trio of detained journalists and three civilians on charges of “unlawful association” was held on Friday, with two of the prosecution’s witnesses failing to appear before the court despite being scheduled to do so.
The trial of three journalists and three other men accused of “unlawful association” with an ethnic armed group began in earnest on Friday, with a court in Hsipaw Township, Shan State, taking testimony from the case’s plaintiff, an army major.
The judge apparently has to attend a training workshop on 21 July and is therefore unable to be in court that day.
A impromptu remand hearing was called today court for three journalists who were arrested last week in Shan State.
Burmese government forces, Kachin, Shan and Palaung rebels all involved in armed clashes this week.
Legal experts suggest that the case brought against three detained journalists who are being charged under Burma’s Unlawful Associations Act lacks a sound basis upon which to pursue prosecution, given the specifics of the colonial-era legislation’s provisions.
Three journalists arrested in Shan State are likely to be handed over to police “soon,” a senior government official says, as questions mount as to why the men were detained and pressure grows on the military to reveal their whereabouts nearly 48 hours after they were taken into custody.
Ethnic media groups say they will petition for the reporters’ release with letters to the Burmese president, state counsellor and commander-in-chief.
The military detains seven men, including two journalists from DVB and a third from another former exile media outlet, for alleged ties to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, which held a drug-burning ceremony on Monday to commemorate International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
The Burmese army is continuing its intervention into an ongoing conflict between two ethnic rebel groups in Shan State, according to government media.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Shan
Armed group claim mass haul during routine vehicle checks.
Kachin Lead Story Military News Shan
Small-arms and artillery fire exchange reported between rebel and government forces in Shan State.
Burma’s famous green tea salad, lahpet, is soon to be marketed to Japanese consumers. A Tokyo-based firm is seeking Burmese tea cultivators to import fresh leaves.
Business Business Weekly Lead Story News
BUSINESS in BURMA THIS WEEK: Price of gold stabilises while kyat finishes strongly; Western Union expands outlets; stock exchange plans to start small; Malaysian minister urges investment in Burma; and tea industry in decline.
Development Environment Ethnic issues Lead Story News
Tea-leaf producers in Namhsan, northern Shan State, are struggling to stay in business due to labour shortages and a surge in untaxed tea from neighbouring China.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Video
According to villagers in Shan State’s Namhsan township, The Ta’ang (Palaung) National Liberation Army (TNLA) are forcefully recruiting people into their ranks and are executing those who refuse.
Conflict Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process Uncategorized
Fighting broke out between the Shan State Army – South (SSA-S) and the Burma Army on Sunday, the first such clash this year, according to the SSA-S.
Conflict Ethnic issues Lead Story News
Ethnic armed groups on Burma’s frontiers report continuing hostilities with the Burmese Army, express concern for the ceasefire initiative.
Captain Mai Aung Ko, spokesperson for the TNLA, said the continuation of hostilities could hamper the “mutual trust-building process”.
