Violence in Kachin State displaces many
Posted by:
PNA
Post Date:
19 January 2013
The escalation
of attacks in the northern Kachin State by the Myanmar government, has left
many residents in the town of Lai Zar, frightened and pining for the return of
calmer times.
Lying on
the border of Myanmar and neighboring China, the town of Lai Zar is the de
facto capital of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) - the political
wing of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).
Reports
suggest the violence in Kachin state, has displaced more than 15,000 people who
are now living in one of four camps in and around the town of Lai Zar. “The
atmosphere is very tense,” said a spokesperson with the KIO, noting many of the
town’s markets and stores had closed.
Attacks in
the area have intensified since the start of 2013. On January 14, three
civilians were killed and four injured following a mortar attack.
The unrest
has displaced several with nearly 2,000 recent IDPs leaving their homes because
of the overwhelming presence of military planes and artillery.
The
Myanmar military ramped up its offensive in December, and began using
Russian-made Mi-35 helicopters and jet fighters against KIA forces.
Confirmed
on January 16 by the state-owned Myanmar News Agency, the military used the
aircrafts to clear rebels from a hilltop not far from the Chinese border. The
report claims the purpose of the operation was to keep supply routes open to
troops in the Lajayan area.
However
the attacks that have plagued the Lai Zar and Lajayan area, suggest excessive
force has been applied to those residing in the areas of increased hostility.
The three deaths in Lai Zar hint to concerns that civilian lives might be at
risk if indiscriminate fire is used. There have been reports of more than five
civilian casualties since the start of the escalation..
The UN
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern over the recent escalation of
violence and called for reconciliation. He commented on the ongoing hostility
and maintained that the displacement of civilians is creating a humanitarian
crisis. When addressing the issue earlier this month, he urged “...Myanmar authorities to desist
from any action that could endanger the lives of civilians living in the area
or further intensify the conflict in the region”.
Several
analyst monitoring the crisis believe there needs to be reasonable access for
international help to all parts of Kachin State as well as increased
international efforts to press the Burmese government to subdue the violence.
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