Kokang army agrees to halt gold mining in Kutkai after deadly shooting

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) suspended operations at a gold mine on Saturday in northern Shan State’s Kutkai Township after its members allegedly killed six township residents opposed to the mining, locals said. Locals living some 40 miles east of Kutkai reportedly went to the mining site at Namlinhka Creek near Ping Kham village, Mong See village tract on the previous Wednesday, intending to stop the mining operations by the MNDAA, also colloquially known as the Kokang Army. Reports indicate that they were opposed to the mining operation because it was polluting the creek, an important drinking water source for locals. In a confrontation that followed, MNDAA fighters opened fire, killing six villagers including a member of another armed group, Kachin Independence Army (KIA).In response to this incident, residents from various villages in the same village tract held a protest in front of the MNDAA’s administrative office in Mong See on Wednesday and Thursday.The protesters’ demands included the suspension of gold mining operations, the withdrawal of armed groups from the area, consultation with and permission from local residents before implementing projects, punishment for those who had opened fired on civilians, a guarantee against future shootings, and compensation for funeral expenses and damages for the deceased.Following discussions, MNDAA officials from the Mongko district-level office agreed to some of these demands. The Kokang army does not control the town of Muse, the seat of the junta’s district-level administration overseeing Kutkai Township, and MNDAA officials have housed their district-level administration in Mongko. “They have completely stopped the gold mining, and they agreed to most of our demands,” said a local woman who had helped residents petition district-level officials for compensation and the prosecution of the shooters. “However, they still have to conduct some field inspections. Although the incident happened in Mong See, the negotiations were held with Mongko district administrators,” she added. The woman also claimed the central leadership of the MNDAA had agreed to some of the locals’ demands and that officers from Brigade 10 of the KIA had attended the discussions as witnesses. “We only know that there was an agreement. We don’t know the details yet,” said KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu when reached for comment.Myanmar Now is still trying to reach the MNDAA for more information about the incident and subsequent negotiations.The local woman confirmed that Namlinhka Creek is an important local source of water for sustenance and irrigation, so residents have consistently opposed gold mining operations that threaten to contaminate it.“In 2009, when the KIA was observing a peace with the Myanmar military, villagers objected when the KIA attempted to mine gold in that area. In 2023, they also objected when the KIO/KIA and businesspeople planned to mine gold,” she said, referring to the KIA’s political wing, the Kachin Independence Organisation.Locals also sent letters to the most powerful armed organisations in that area of northern Shan State—the KIA, MNDAA, Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army—requesting that they refrain from mining near the Namlinhka Creek. The TNLA and MNDAA, both members of the Brotherhood Alliance, each captured parts of Kutkai Township during the alliance’s Operation 1027 offensive of 2023 and 2024. Both groups have installed administrations in the areas under their control, staffed by their own personnel.

Kokang army agrees to halt gold mining in Kutkai after deadly shooting

Responding to protesters after a violent confrontation, the armed organisation’s district-level administrators held negotiations attended by Kachin Independence Army (KIA) officials, ultimately acquiescing to several demands from local civilians

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