Kokang Army Forces Abduct Local Youths Following Attack on Kutkai, Loot Houses 

Local residents have reported that several youths from Loi Sai and Pang Say villages in Kutkai Township, Northern Shan State, were abducted by the Kokang Army (MNDAA).

“They abducted only young boys. Two were taken on the night of March 15 when they returned home to prepare food, the exact time was not known. Although they were released around noon on March 17, both were injured—one had been kicked and the other severely beaten,” a local said.

On the morning of March 16, three more men from Loi Sai Village were abducted and remain in custody, according to theresident.

“Yesterday morning, before breakfast, MNDAA forces took three more young men. Among them was a young man with a disability who was taken while hiding in a trench. I am deeply concerned for him because he has a speech impairment and might be beaten,” she added.

Furthermore, on the evening of March 16, MNDAA troops reportedly raided homes in Pansay Village and detained three residents on suspicion of having ties to the Ta’ang Natinal Liberation Army (TNLA).

“The troops entered the village, searched houses, confiscated phones, and took away three youths. It is still unknown whether they have been released,” another local woman reported.

The Kokang Army (MNDAA) launched a major offensive on March 14 in Kutkai, an area controlled by the Ta’ang Army (TNLA). Since then, they have been raiding Ta’ang villages near the town, allegedly targeting and assaulting ethnic Ta’ang civilians.