Burmese Army Deploys More Troops Despite Decreased Armed Conflicts

By Tsa Doi la / Kachinland News | May 8, 2017

In KIA’s Administrative Region east of the Irrawaddy river, the Burmese army troops belonging to 3rd and 21st Military Operations Command have joined the Southern Western Command (Pathein-based) and North Western Command (Monywa-based) troops which set up bases towards the end of 2015. Currently, over 2,000 Burmese army troops from 19 Battalions including their auxiliary troops from Ta Law local militia group have been deployed in areas surrounding the KIA Headquarters.

In western Kachin State’s Wa Ra Zup village on May 2, the Jahtu Zup-based Red Shan local militia troops reportedly summoned village elders and threatened them to report on KIA troops activities such as troops recruitment and tax collection.

In Mo Gawng township on May 1 beginning at 9:00 a.m., a total of 315 local civilians joined a peace conference organized by Burmese government-appointed state official Wei Lin.

The Burmese government’s parliament (Luttaw) senior representative Mr. Ze Gyung and entourage reportedly visited locals in Nlung Hka village in KIA’s 3rd Brigade territory on May 4,2017.

On May 4 at around 5:00 p.m. in Man Sa Pa in KIA’s 24th Battalion territory, the Loi Mawk-based Burmese army troops allegedly shot and killed several cattles belonging to villagers for food.

Loggers and cattle traders in KIA’s 12th, 27th and 34th Battalion territoires continue to smuggle their goods working with the Burmese army. Circling around Man Wing in KIA’s 27th Battalion territory, the smugglers, working hand-in-hand with Burmese army troops belonging to Nmau Hka Hydro Power Plant-based 144th Light Infantry Battalion(LIB), continue going about their business selling goods to the Chinese across the border.

Meanwhile in northern Shan State at around 10:30 p.m. on May 2, an artillery shell fired by Burmese army troops hit decon Lahpai Zau Bawk’s house in Nam Hkam Nawng Jang Kawng village. His son Lahpai Hkun Naw, daughter-in-law Seng Ra and grandson Zau Ja got severely injured and were immediately brought to Nam Hkan hospital.

In northern Shan State, battles continue to rage between T’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Burmese army troops. Beginning around 10:00 a.m. on April 30, the TNLA troops reportedly engaged Burmese army troops belonging to 88th Light Infantry Division (LID).

Between Kawng Hke and Loi In villages on May 2, TNLA’s 571st Battalion troops fought an intense battle against Burmese army troops from 88th LID. Backed by the Nam Hkam Tsahkan Tit-based artillery unit, two Burmese army MI-35 attack helicopters conducted airstrikes in areas surrounding Kawng Hke, Loi In and Nam Hawm. One of the rockets hit a house in Nam Hawm and the 80-year-old Ya Lai died in the burning house.

Between 6:20 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on May 3, the TNLA troops engaged 88th LID Burmese army troops in Lung Hpum Hkyet north of Kawng Wai village. On the next day on May 4, the TNLA troops again fought the Burmese troops in Hpa Len. The fighting has forced villagers from Hpa Len, Nam Hawm and Kawng Hke to go hiding in the jungles. Several artillery shells fired by Nam Hkam and Nam Hpakka-based Burmese army troops have injured 13 civilians. The injured civilians have reportedly been receiving treatments at Nam Hkam hospital.

On May 5 at around 1:00 p.m., the TNLA troops fought 88th LID Burmese army soldiers near Baw Ho San village in Kut Hkai township. Similarly at 6:05 p.m. on the same day, the TNLA troops engaged Burmese army troops belonging to 33rd LID. Additionally on May 6 at around 12:00 p.m., the TNLA troops reportedly fought 88th LID Burmese army troops in two different locations between Ban Dawng and Nam Hkum in Mung Myit township.