Kachin Independence Army (KIA) members arrested by Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in Namtu in northern Shan State were released on the morning of 11 July, according a regional officer of Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).
At around 11 am on 10 July, the TNLA arrested 10 KIA members including one officer, who were staying at Maw Cherry guest house in Namtu.
KIA officers from Mongmit arrived there following the arrest of their members. The arrested members were released after coordination between the two forces, said a KIO regional officer for Namtu.
“The total number of arrested KIA members is 10. They were arrested at around 11 pm yesterday. The TNLA doesn’t seem to know that they were KIA members as one of the arrested members was an officer.”
“I think the TNLA doesn’t believe that they are KIA members. Our members were released at 1.21 pm today after meeting,” the KIO officer said.
The arrested KIA members are from the KIA Battalion-14. The TNLA arrested them under the allegation that they possessed a pistol, he continued.
At the time of the arrest, the KIA members identified themselves to the TNLA as officer and members of KIO/KIA, according to the KIO officer.
“They handed over our members because they were sure they belonged to us. This action aimed to prevent any dispute between our groups. The TNLA claimed they were arrested during a routine inspection of guest houses at night,” he explained.
On the other hand, some locals said that the TNLA arrested the KIO/KIA members due to their unauthorized entry into Namtu.
Both the KIA and the TNLA have stated that they are negotiating to resolve ongoing territorial disputes between their forces in Namtu and Manton.
Sent by KNG