YANGON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- A total of 1,774 local residents have fled Laukkai, a main town of Myanmar's Kokang region in northeastern Shan state, to other nearby towns following the renewed outbreak of armed clashes between the government forces and the Kokang ethnic armed groups.
According to the Information Committee of the State Counselor's Office Thursday, the 1,774 refugees of 593 households are taking refuge in 11 relief camps opened in Lashio, Thibaw, Namthu, Kutkai and Muse.
They are being taken care by the regional government, local people, civil societies and charity organizations, the committee said.
Renewed clashes broke out in the Kokang region Monday before dawn with Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) launching offensive on Laukkai, resulting in dozens of casualties including civilians.
At least five Kokang traffic police and five civilians were killed when the MNDAA attacked police posts and residential area in Laukkai with four other Kokang traffic police being also taken away by the MNDAA as hostages, according to the government's release.
MNDAA attacked Laukkai with small and heavy weapons , destroying some residential buildings, hotels and military camps with vehicles burned.
The government's security forces found 20 charred corpses and 10 pieces of weapons after the attack.
The Myanmar government troops are making area clearance operation following the incident.
The National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC), headed by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, has issued an announcement later on the day in response to the attack, calling on the MNDAA to abandon armed attacks and sit down for peace talks.
