Over 10,000 displaced persons return as stability restored in N. Myanmar

A total of 10,248 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to conflict-torn Mongko, Muse district in Myanmar's northern Shan state as stability has been restored there, Myanmar News Agency reported on Sunday.

The IDPs are from 2,260 households of about 200 wards and villages.

Myanmar government forces have claimed control of Mongko after two weeks' fighting earlier this month which came under attack by a combined forces of three non-ceasefire signatory armed groups, Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA).

The government forces regained control of the town on Dec. 4 after fighting back and conducted area clearance operation and since Dec. 9, the IDPs, who abandoned their homes due to the conflicts, have been returning homes as the local authorities scrutinized them and admitted them back to the town.

(APD)