The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has abducted three judges and six other judicial staff from Namhsan Township in northern Shan State.

TNLA spokesperson Col Mai Aik Kyaw said patrolling Ta'ang troops near Tawng Ma “arrested” the nine people at 11am on 19 April on their way to Namhsan Township and they're now being held for questioning. “They're safe and in good health,” he told NMG.

“Our troops intercepted their car (by chance) during a temporary road check on the road from Namhsan to Kyaukme.”

Mai Aik Kyaw said they were Maung Maung Aye, Kyaukme District Court judge, and his wife Khin Htay Yee, Namhsan Township Court judge Kaung Bone Naing, Manton Township Court judge Zaw Zaw Htet, Namhsan Township Court prosecutor Myo Htet Zaw, lawyer Win Myint Aung, lawyer Ma Win Sapel Oo, a senior clerk, and Wai Pai Phyo, a junior clerk, both from Namhsan Township Court.

The relatives of the abductees told the media that they were working with officials from the Palaung (Ta'ang) Self-administered Zone to secure their release.

The TNLA are fighting against the regime in the township and in other areas of northern Shan State. The ethnic armed group and the Shan State Progress Party are also battling with Restoration Council of Shan State in the southern areas of the state.