YANGON, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- A male passenger has been shot dead by two insurgents in Myanmar's northeastern Shan state while traveling in the state last Friday, the state newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday.

    With a total of six passengers on board, a hired motor vehicle of van left Mongshu for Taunggyi, the capital of Shan state, on last Friday. The victim, seated at the front of the car, was shot dead at a location between Mongnaung and Wanpon by the two unidentified insurgents wearing camouflage uniforms, the report said.

    The armed forces columns are in pursuit of these two insurgents, the report added.

    Meanwhile, a total of 22 more members of the Kayin National Liberation Army (KNLA), an anti-government ethnic armed group in Myanmar, returned to the government's legal fold late last month as a latest development of armed groups' activities.

    The 22 armed group members laid down their arms at the military camp in Thingan-nyinaung in Kayin state bringing along some small arms and assorted ammunition.

    The government claimed that a total of 17 anti-government armed groups have returned to the legal fold since it adopted a policy of national reconciliation since 1989.