Burma army troops steal from Kachin villagers

 KAMAING, BURMA — Troops from the Army's Light Infantry Division No. 88 stole valuable jewelry from a Kachin woman Sunday evening during military operations at her village in western Kachin state, according to the woman's neighbors.

A gold ring and gold chain necklace were taken from the 40-year-old women at gunpoint. The incident occurred at about 8 pm. at Kahtan Yang village on the road to Hpakant, witnesses told Kachin News Group.

Since early last week troops from LID No. 88 have been operating in the area and harassing villagers, local residents say.

Over the weekend the entire population of Nam Si In village fled to Kamaing village. The mass exodus followed the arrival of troops in the village Friday evening.  The troops tied up many of the men in the village and proceeded to interrogate them about alleged ties to the Kachin Independence Organization, according to witnesses who spoke to the Kachin News Group. At least 170 internally displaced people from Nam Si In are now taking shelter at the baptist church in Kamaing.

Fighting between LID No. 88 troops and Kachin resistance forces broke out yesterday along a stretch of road between Kamaing and Gauri on the Hpakant to Myitkyina route, according to witnesses. Currently dozens of civilians are said to be fleeing their homes in the area and are on their wa to Gauri.

Villagers from Nam Sin In not seen since abduction last week
Two Kachin civilians from Nam Sin In, village headman U Naing Linn and Lagyawm Gun have not been seen since last Friday when they were abducted by troops from LID No. 88 according villagers who witnessed the abduction.

Both men are not KIO members according to the villagers who say they were detained anyway.

Relatives fear for the safety of both men as they are believed to have been taken to the front lines to serve as guides for government forces