Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Nearly 6,000 people, who fled to China because of the war between the Burmese Army and the Kokang troops, have gone back to their homes.

In the aftermath of the military offensive against the Lao Kai based Special Region (1) in northern Shan State, about 30,000 Kokang people fled to neighbouring China. Now some of them are risking going back home.  

The junta's mouthpiece the 'New Light of Myanmar' reported today that 5,188 people returned to the Kokang capital Lao Kai through Yan Lone Kyai and Chin Shwe Haw border checkpoints.

But Sino-Burma based military observer and analyst Aung Kyaw Zaw pointed out that only a few refugees have gone back to their homes to look after their property and belongings that they had abandoned.

"Most of them are scared of returning home. Now four or five people from each village have gone back home to look after their property," Aung Kyaw Zaw said.

"Currently the losses incurred are huge. Their homes were burgled and destroyed because there are many junta army units located at the place. Looting is rampant as the Kokang troops withdrew from their outposts and units," he added.  

The simmering tension between the two armies snowballed after the junta’s forces raided and searched the residence of Kokang Chairman Peng Jia Xiang on August 27, which left 26 security forces dead and 47 injured, the junta mouthpiece said.  

According to Kokang sources, almost 200 people including civilians were killed in the clashes.