Myanmar defence chief re-empowers commander for military control in Kokang

Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's Defense Services Senior-General Min Aung Hlaing has re-empowered Colonel Zaw Zaw Naing, Laukkai Regional Commander, to exercise the executive and judicial powers for military control in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, northeastern Shan state, an official report said Thursday.

The assignment, aimed at ensuring stability and rule of law in the unstable area, came two days after the President's Office extended a 90-day state of emergency imposed in Kokang to another 90 days for the third time starting from Aug. 18 to Nov. 17.

According to the military control order, Col. Zaw Zaw Naing will take charge of the regional authoritative bodies at all levels responsible for security, social affairs, trade and transport.

The President's Office on Tuesday announced the new extension of the state of emergency as the situation in Kokang is said to have not yet returned to normal.

The first 90-day state of emergency was imposed on Feb. 17 following heavy fighting on Feb. 9 between government forces and Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army.

The state of emergency was extended for the second time from May 18 to Aug. 17 as fighting continued in the region then.