CNI News
6 March 2024
The question is being raised among political and military observers if the declaration of martial law by the State Administration Council in Nansang, Mang Ton and Namtu Townships, northern Shan State was aimed to fight against the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
The commander of the Northeastern Command empowered to exercise the martial law in the territory of the command including Mantong, Nansang and Namtu townships in order to carry out more effectively security, rule of law, peace and stability in the territory under the section-419 of the constitution, which the SAC stated on 4th March, 2024.
The commander or his military territorial commanders who are handed over responsibilities by the commander could exercise the martial law, said in the statement.
While seeing the TNLA force
The declaration of martial law was making preparation to re-capture the townships that the TNLA had captured, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.
" There are not security forces of the SAC in these regions while the commander of the Northern Command has been empowered to exercise the martial law. The commander is still in Lashio. According to the martial law, the commander will impose the laws and conduct trials. The intension of the martial law is that the Tatmadaw has prepared in order to re-capture the territories that it lost control of when the opportunity comes sometime in the future." he said.
The martial law did not come under pressure because the TNLA was conducting administration, judiciary and legislation in these three townships, he added. On 28th February, 2024, the martial law was declared in Momeik and Mabein Townships, northern Shan State.
While seeing the TNLA force
The martial law has been declared in the 61 townships of Myanmar until on 4th March 2024, according to Data for Myanmar. Some people in the townships are worried that fighting will happen again because of this law. However, the townships are in a regular situation, a Palaung politician, told CNI News.
"For the time being, people in Namtu, Nansang and Mantong are just staying calm. It's normal. The TNLA has not prepared anything. They think that Palaung people mainly live in these three towns only." he said.
The TNLA has captured Namkham, Nansang, Mantong, Mong Lon, Namtu, Mong Ngor and Kutkai during the Operation-1027 that was launched on 27th October, 2023 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
