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Thursday, January 31, 2013

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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