Sporadic clashes continue in Myanmar Kokang region

Some sporadic armed clashes continued in Kokang region, northeastern Shan state of Myanmar, over the last two days, according to the military-run media, Myawaddy, on Thursday.

The government's local battalion and the Kokang ethnic army -- the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, exchanged fire in Kongyan and near Laukkai.

In another report of the Myawaddy, the government claimed stability could be restored in Laukkai as its forces combed the area with a total of 1,314 local people, who had taken refuge in Lashio, a big city in Shan state, having resettled in the Kokang capital between Feb. 22 and 24.

Heavy fighting first broke out on Feb. 9 between the two sides in Kokang region and as clashes escalated Myanmar governments declared a state of emergency and martial law in Kokang region on Feb. 17.

The government side claimed earlier that 54 of its forces lost their lives with 105 others being wounded while about 72 of the Kokang army, which the government terms as a renegade group, died.

The battlefield mainly covered areas of Laukkai, Koneyan and Yan Lone Kyaine in Kokang region.