RANIR formed to help critical Kachin IDP on China border

A relief agency was formed to help Kachin IDPs who are critical need of aid on Thursday, July 7, at the Laiza headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organization, near the China border in Northern Burma, according to a statement released by the agency.

The Relief Action Network for IDP (Internally Displaced Person) and Refugee (RANIR), is made up of members from the KIO, Kachin Churches and non-governmental organizations. Its mandate is to take over relief operations, according to the statement.

A Kachin IDP in the KIO Laiza refugee camp.

KIA limits military resistance to Burmese government

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has limited its military resistance to the central Burmese government since July 1, a day after delegates from the two sides met for peace talks in Kachin State, on June 30, KIA officials said.

The order was given on Friday to all KIA troops at the frontlines in Kachin State and Northern Shan State to temporarily stop attacking military targets on the main roads and governmental infrastructure in major towns, according to the KIA officers.

La Nan, Vice General Secretary-2 of KIO.

War continues between KIA and Burmese army

New clashes between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Burmese government troops took place on July 2nd and 3rd in different parts of Kachin State, despite efforts by both sides to negotiate a ceasefire on June 17 and 30th during meetings between representatives from the KIA and Burmese government.

On July 2nd the Mohnyin Township, Sinbo-based, KIA Battalion 5 and Burmese troops clashed after Burmese soldiers tried to enter the KIA controlled area. At least 20 Burmese soldiers died, according to an unnamed source.

A captive Burmese soldier in a KIA post before he was freed by KIA soldiers in Battalion 8, Northern Shan State.

Kachins ask UK government for help

Britain based Kachin community is into discussions with the UK government to help Kachin people in Burma in the midst of civil war between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Burmese Army.

Three representatives of the Kachin National Organization (KNO) met representatives of UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) on June 30 in its London office and discussed the current situation in Kachin State and the plight of war refugees, said a participant.

Benedict Rogers (centre), Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) South East Asia Team Leader and two KNO leaders. Photo: KNO

Singpho in India support KIA in war with Burmese Army

Singpho (Kachins) in India residing in Arunachal Pradesh State have welcomed the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)’s leadership of the Kachin people and has supported their decision to defend themselves and fight the Burmese Army.

In a statement released on June 26 the Singpho Development Society (SDS) expressed deep concern about the plight of the Kachin people in the midst of a civil war facing an extremely difficult situation. It said they believe in and support the leadership provided by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the armed-wing of KIO for its people.

Plain clothes Burmese soldiers rob and assault Kachin people

In the midst of the civil war between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Burmese Army since June 9, Kachin civilians are being tormented with robbery and assault by Burmese soldiers, said local people.

Burmese soldiers in plain clothes are robbing travellers, looting money and belongings of the people around the Irrawaddy dam project at Myitsone, 27 miles north of Kachin capital Myitkyina.

“There is no rule of law and the areas are far away from Myitkyina capital of Kachin State. Burmese soldiers are doing whatever they like,” said locals.

Burmese soldiers are not allowing Kachin nationals to cross the bridge between Myitkyina and Tanghpre village (Myitsone) and have told the local people “You Kachins are not worthy of crossing this bridge. You should pass under the bridge, now flooded and muddy.”

A Kachin Baptist Church in Tanghpre village in the Irrawaddy dam site, 27 miles north of Myitkyina. Photo: Kachin News Group

Kachin Army attacks Burmese military convoy

Troops of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked a Burmese military convoy on the Mandalay-Muse border trade route along the Chinese border in Northern Shan State on Thursday afternoon at around 2 p.m., said eyewitnesses.

The convoy was attacked with land mines and small arms by KIA soldiers of battalion 9 near Homong village, 15 miles south of the Burmese border trade town Muse, when it was heading back to Mandalay, said local eye witnesses.

Twenty defiant families still staying in Myitsone village

Despite mounting pressure from the Burmese authorities, 20 families are still in Tanghpre village at the Myitsone hydro electric power project, where most villagers from around the project area have been forced to relocate to the new village called Aung Min Tar since 2010.

“They do not have a choice because there are no more houses or place for them in the new village, which is overcrowded,” said a source close to the villagers.

Kachin Roman Catholic Church in Tanghpre under Myitsone dam site. Photo: Kachin News Group