Myanmar declares martial law in Kokang region post fierce clashes between govt troops, rebels

Declaring a state of emergency in the Kokang region in the wake of fierce clashes between ethnic-minority rebels and the army, Myanmar's President Thein Sein has reportedly handed over power to the military, imposing a three-month-long martial law on the region.

Clashes were triggered by the return of rebel leader Phone Kya Shin after a five-year-long exile in China, reported the BBC.

Tens of thousands of civilians have been forced to flee their homes. The Chinese state media reported nearly 30,000 border crossings by Myanmar nationals over the past week.

Fighting between the government troops and rebel fighters known as the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has intensified since February 9.

More than 50 government troops and 26 rebels have been killed since then, the report said.