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Myanmar

Myanmar: Amnesty offer to Kokang troops, leaders face manhunt

By MIN LWIN

Burmese regime military commanders in the restive Kokang area of Burma's Shan State have offered an amnesty to troops of the Kokang ceasefire group Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), while launching a manhunt for four key MNDAA leaders, according to military sources.

The four MNDAA leaders-Phon Kya Shin, Phon Kya Phu, Phon Tar Shwin and Phon Tarli in Burmese-have been accused by state-run media of involvement in the illegal production of weapons.

The manhunt was ordered as hundreds of regime soldiers were newly deployed in the Kokang region of southeastern Shan State. The deployment was ordered by Lt-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chief of No.2 Bureau of Special Operation (BSO).

The offensive, reportedly aimed at the total defeat and eradication of the MNDAA, is commanded by Min Aung Hlaing who recently based in Lashio, capital of Northern Shan State.

Military sources said that Min Aung Hlaing is keeping troops in Shan State on high alert along the Chinese border, sending reinforcements there from No. 33 Light Infantry Division from Sagaing, Upper Burma.

A government army source said that 10 battalions from No. 33 Light Infantry Division were deployed in late August north of Laogai, capital of the Kokang region, and along the China-Burma border, where Kokang troops were based.

About 10 battalions of No. 16 Military Operation Command (MOC), based in Theindi, Northern Shan State, have been deployed south of Laogai.

10 battalions are already in place before the conflict began.

"This region is about 100,000 kilometer square, so 30 battalions are too many for the offensive," said Aung Kyaw Zaw, a Sino-Burmese border-based former Burmese communist rebel. "These troops can be deployed there long term,"

Two tank battalions and two artillery battalions have also been reinforced in the Kokang region, Aung Kyaw Zaw said. Burma artillery battalions use 110 mm and 105 mm heavy mortar.

Other sources said that some battalions of Meiktaila-based No. 99 Light Infantry Division is on high alert in readiness go to the Kokang region.

Meanwhile, military sources said that some battalions from Triangle Area Command based in Kengtung have been deployed close to areas controlled by the United Wa State Army.