200 workers still at Myitsone dam site, Chinese expect suspension to be lifted

IRRAWADDY MYITSONE DAM SITE, 27 MILES NORTH OF KACHIN STATE'S CAPITAL MYITKYINA, NORTHERN BURMA.

IRRAWADDY MYITSONE DAM SITE, 27 MILES NORTH OF KACHIN STATE'S CAPITAL MYITKYINA, NORTHERN BURMA.

IRRAWADDY MYITSONE DAM SITE, 27 MILES NORTH OF KACHIN STATE'S CAPITAL MYITKYINA, NORTHERN BURMA.

A recent article published by the Chinese edition of Bloomberg BussinessWeek, substantiates the claims of environmental activists that a large number of workers from the firm behind the stalled Myitsone dam project remain at the construction site more than 6 months after the project was officially suspended by President Thein Sein.

Burma’s Kachin vote delay leaves two popular candidates out in the cold

BAWK JA (LEFT) AND DR.TU JA

MYITKYINA, Burma — The Burmese government's decision to indefinitely postpone voting in all three constituencies in Kachin state that were supposed to take part in the national April 1 by-elections, is a serious setback for two of the state’s most popular politicians, Dr. Tu Ja and Bawk Ja (also spelt Bauk Gyar or Bauk Ja).

Burma army steps up Kachin offensive ahead of by-elections

PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING BASIC MELITARY TAINING OF KIO IN ITS SAIZA HEADQUARTERS IN EASTERN KACHIN, NORTHERN BURMA.

LAIZA, Burma --- Burma's armed forces significantly increased a 9 month long offensive against the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) this week, as the international community shifts its attention towards Burma's upcoming April 1 by-elections, in which Aung San Suu Kyi is participating.

Burma army sent to Myitsone dam site to enforce evictions

A CONVOY OF ARMY TRUCKS HEADS TO TANG HPRE ON MARCH 17 TO ENFORCE A GOVERNMENT ORDER EVICTING VILLAGERS FROM THEIR HOMES NEAR THE MYITSONE DAM SITE. DESPITE PRESIDENT THEN SEIN'S SEPT.30 2011 ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT WOULD BE HALTED, RESIDENTS OF TANG HPRE HAVE BEEN BARRED FROM RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES.

MAI JA YANG, Burma — Last Saturday March 17, five truckloads of Burma army soldiers arrived in Kachin state's Tang Hpre (also Tanghpre) village to enforce an eviction order against displaced residents who had sought to reclaim their homes following the official suspension of the controversial Myitsone dam.

China tells Burma to “punish the murders” of Yunnan civilian

THE BODY OF LAHPAI ZAU LAWN, A CHINESE NATIONAL OF KACHIN (JINGPO) ETHNICITY.LAST WEEK CHINESE AUTHORITIES TOOK THE UNUSUAL STEP OF PUBLICLY CALLED ON BURMA TO "PUNISH THE MURDERS" OF THE 53-YEAR OLD FARMER.

Mai Ja Yang, Burma — Nearly two months after Burmese soldiers are alleged to have crossed into China and killed Lahpai Zau Lawn, an unarmed Chinese citizen of Kachin (Jingpo) ethnicity, Chinese authorities have taken the unprecedented step of publicly calling on Burma to punish those responsible.

Residents protest toxic mine in Shan state's Muse township

AUNG HTUN, PRO-GOVERNMENT MILITA LEADER OF LOI LUM, NORTHERN SHAN STATE.

MUSE, Burma — Citing serious environmental concerns, a group of more than 500 people held a protest on Wednesday to condemn a large scale zinc and graphite mine currently being built in northern Shan State's Muse township.

Fighting in N.Shan state continues along Shwe pipeline route

A CHINESE TRUCK LOADED WITH OIL PIPES WAS ON THE WAY FOR CROSSING BURMA BORDER FROM JEIGAO IN YUNNAN PROVINCE.

MUSE, Burma — Fighting between the Burmese army and forces loyal to the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) continues in northern Shan state, as the two sides prepare to meet tomorrow for another round of peace talks in China.