
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) captured the town of Manton, northern Shan State on Friday night, completing its takeover of the Palaung Self-Administered Zone from the military junta’s control.
According to the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, the Palaung Self-Administered Zone (SAZ) consists of two townships: Manton and Namhsan, the latter of which the TNLA, a Ta’ang ethnic armed organisation, has controlled since December 15.
The inclusion of the two townships in the Palaung SAZ effectively designates them as an autonomous area for self-government by the Ta’ang ethnic community, also sometimes called the Palaung people.
Sources on the ground said that the TNLA initiated concentrated assaults on the last remaining junta base—manned by junta Infantry Battalion (IB) 130—in Manton on Friday night.
By midnight the TNLA had overrun the tactical encampment, which is located near the town of Manton. . .