Martial law extended in Kokang Region

19 May 2015
Martial law extended in Kokang Region
Armed military soldier takes position at the corner of a street in self-administered Kokang capital Laukkai, northern Shan State, Myanmar, 16 February 2015. Photo: Lynn Bo Bo/EPA

Martial law has been further extended in the Kokang region Xinhua reported on 18 May 2015.
According to the report, the Myanmar government has formally extended a 90-day period of a state of emergency, imposed in Kokang region, Shan state-North, to another 90 days until August 17.
The proposal was submitted to the parliament on 15 May by Defense Minister Lieutenant-General Wai Lwin on behalf of President U Thein Sein. It said the extension was needed as fighting still continues in the region and the situation of politics, security, economy, legal system and administration there has not yet returned to normal.
A martial law (military administrative order), which was imposed along with the state of emergency with the region, remains effective, the announcement said.
President Thein Sein had declared a three-month state of emergency and imposed martial law in the region on 17 February 2015, after fighting broke out between the Myanmar military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).