Almost all the people in Laogai are fleeing to China’s Mansan Township after receiving a typed announcement in Chinese from the Kokang leaders this morning, latest reports from the Sino-Burma border said.

The statement issued by the Kokang leaders said “People need not panic at the current situation but they have to be prepared all the time,” according to a copy sent to SHAN.

Meanwhile, some local Burmese officials of Laogai-based Regional Operations Command (ROC) and a number of Kokang leaders met in a hotel, located on the way to Si Aww village this morning. However, no details were disclosed. People therefore started fleeing despite the announcement, said a local resident who declined to be named.

“Not only people but also cars are almost gone. All shops are closed,” he said, “Internet connection has also been cut off since 2 pm (Burma Standard Time).”

All prisoners in Kokang jails were also released, according to him.

Tension between the two sides has been mounting after local Burmese authorities recently entered Kokang’s gun factory and seized all weapons.

On August 23 morning, more than 150 soldiers of the Burmese Army from Hsenwi and Kutkhai were reported to have arrived in Laogai. Three days earlier, about 200 troops from Lashio were sent.

On August 23, about 30 Kokang officials were reported to have met in an area controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA), on the south bank of the Namting, local sources said.

Right now, thousands of troops of the Burmese Army have been taking up positions in the Kokang area. Security on the way from Kunlong and Laogai has also been tightened by the Burmese military. Rice and food supplies were also prohibited from being brought into Kokang areas, said another resident.

The tension between the Burmese Army and the Kokang has been palpable since the Burmese Amy sent an armed force to investigate reports of the Kokang force having an arms factory on August 8.