On December 16, the Mong Ha People's Militia arrested three villagers from Tat Lek Village, Na Hot Village Tract, Tang Yang Township in Northern Shan State.

Soe Phoe Han, a winning member of parliament from Tangyang Township, said that some of the villagers were arrested and that details were not yet available.

"They said it was a militia from Mong Ha. There were about 20 people came in four cars and arrested them. The village headman was not picked up. We have not been able to go and check yet. The villagers have informed us," said Soe Phoe Han.

The three villagers went to the SSPP / SSA (Shan State Progress Party/ Shan State Army)) headquarters for help after being asked by the local militia and coal mining company to evacuate them for coal mining in their village, said a Na Hot local.

Ngwe Yi Pa Le Company and Shwe Lin Ka Company had been drilling by using explosions in underground coal mine leading to a crack in the ground in Tat Lek village. Tat Lek is a village that has been subject to relocation due to landslides and there are some houses that have not been relocated yet.