Kutkai Township residents told DVB that six civilians were killed and another six were injured by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) after it opened fire on a protest against gold mining operations in Monese village, which is located 41 miles (66 km) northeast of Kutkai in northern Shan State, on Wednesday.

“Residents had already informed the MNDAA that they didn’t want mining in the [Moese village] area. When [MNDAA] pointed their guns at the protesters, the people tried to grab their weapons. But the [MNDAA] fired and killed them,” a Kutkai resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. 

On March 5, Kutkai residents reportedly visited an MNDAA office near Monese village to express their outrage over the killings. They had previously cited environmental concerns to the MNDAA over its mining operations, but when their voices weren’t heard they staged the protest.

Among those killed were two members of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) based in Kutkai, but they were not in uniform at the time and attended the protest dressed as civilians, according to residents. 

Kutkai is under Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) control after it seized the town alongside the MNDAA in January 2024. At least four reported cases of tensions between the KIA and the MNDAA were reported in November and December but there were not any casualties.

A video surfaced online Jan. 26 showing a fight between TNLA and KIA members in Kutkai, which is located 47 miles (75 km) north of the regional capital Lashio.