UWSA, SSPP and NDAA Say Burma Army attack has damaged peace prospects

KIA officer training school, Laiza, Kachin state of northern Burma

Three ethnic groups issued a statement voicing their concern that the ongoing peace process would deteriorate because of the Burma Army’s artillery shelling of a Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) officer training school on19th November.

Burma army shells land near Kachin IDP camps

Je Yang camp near KIO capital Laiza in eastern Kachin state in northern Burma

Over the last three days Burma army units stationed in Kachin state have repeatedly fired shells that landed near refugee camps situated in territory controlled by Kachin Independence Organization (KIO). No refugees were hurt by the shelling however the firing of shells near the camps has caused a great deal of concern among the refugees and aid workers, the Kachin News Group has learned.

Myitkyina residents defy authorities to mourn 23 Laiza cadets

Despite pressure from local authorities, a large crowd of several thousand mourners gathered in the Kachin state capital of Myitkyina over the weekend to honor the 23 trainees who were killed when their training ground near Laiza was hit by Burma army shell.

Laiza shelling fatalities were from KIO allies, ABSDF, AA, CNF, TNLA

All of those killed in Wednesday's shelling attack on an training ground near the Kachin Independence Organization's Laiza headquarters were from the Kachin armed group's allies and not in fact the KIO as had been initially reported. A number of KIO personnel including trainers were however seriously injured in the blast.

Government claims Laiza shelling was a “warning shot”

Burma Army's Light Infantry Division No. 66 troops are taking position near KIA battalion 6 in Hpakant jade mine, Kachin state

Following the Burma's army shelling of a Kachin Independence Army (KIA) training ground near Laiza on Wednesday government officials have repeatedly claimed that the lethal attack was not deliberate. A claim hotly contested by the KIA and its political wing the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

KIO, UNFC condemn Laiza shelling

The Kachin Independent Organization (KIO) issued a terse statement on Friday condemning the army's shelling of a training ground near Laiza 48 hours earlier that resulted in the death of 23 cadets and injured 20 more.

UNFC ethnic alliance clears up “misunderstanding” with Naypyidaw

 UNFC Vice-chairman Nai Hong Tar

The largest alliance of ethnic armed groups in Burma, the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) claims that it has been able to clear up what the group characterized as a “misunderstanding” with officials in Naypyidaw about the group's policy.

Burma Army shelling of Laiza training ground was deliberate says KIO

KIA officer training school and bodies of students

A shell fired by Burma army forces hit a Kachin Independence Army (KIA) training ground near Laiza mid-day Wednesday killing 22 young men on impact and injuring 16 more. The victims of the shelling were taking part in an officer training program run by the KIA, the armed-wing of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO).

KIA fight with Burma Army in Kachin state

One of an officer from Burma Army's LID 88 which is currently deploying in Man Wing, the area between Kachin state and Shan state

Troops from the Kachin Independence Organization's (KIO) armed wing clashed with Burma army forces on November 16th in eastern Kachin state, according to an officer with group.

Yuzana company destroys farm road in Hugawng valley

Yuzana company farm in Kachin state's Hugawng Valley

Staff from the Yuzana company, one of Burma's largest conglomerates, destroyed a road constructed by local farmers in Wa Ra Zup village in Kachin State's Hugawng (also Hukaung) valley last Friday.

Hpakant jade company offers compensation to slain man’s family

Poeple of raw jade (locally called yemase) collectors at Hpakant in western Kachin state

The Thaukpa Kyae jade mining company in Kachin State Hpakant's township has offered 20 million kyat (USD $ 19,531.2) as compensation to the family of a 20 year old man who was killed on the job. Hpuklawng Gum Ja Awng, also known as Ze Lum, was killed on the evening of October 31. The company claims his death was the result of an accident however the victim's family disputes this explanation.

RFA Kachin Language TV Program, 2014 November 1st Week

Kachin church groups continue drug eradication campaign

 A Church's anti-drug poster with Kachin language on Ledo Road in Hugawng Valley in western Kachin state

Across Kachin state local drug eradication committees backed by church groups are continuing their drug elimination efforts amidst what many Kachin say is a full blown crisis in their state.

KIO Accountant Arrested for Collecting Tax in Hpakant

Burma Army's Light Infantry Division No. 66 soldiers take position near Aung Ba Lay post of KIA Batalion 6 in Hpakant, western Kachin state

 A Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) accountant employed by the KIO's armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and an alleged civilian associate, were arrested by Burma army personnel last week after being accused of unlawfully collecting war funds, according to local residents in Kachin state's jade rich Hpakant district where the arrests took place.