AIPMC calls for urgent peace talks in Burma by ASEAN-U Zin Linn

Jakarta-based ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) has released a Press Statement [dated 17 June 2011] calling urgent peace talks and reliable action by ASEAN.

AIPMC strongly condemns the decision by the Myanmar (Burmese) government to dispatch heavily armed troops into Kachin State and the concomitant outbreak of fighting, which brings an end to seventeen years of ceasefire between the government and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

In its press release, AIPMC says,”We are deeply concerned about a return to war between the Myanmar army and the KIA, says Eva Kusuma Sundari, president of the AIPMC. We call for an immediate end to sending troops into Kachin areas and urgent peace talks between the parties.”

According to AIPMC , the armed conflict in Kachin State reveals that the new President Thein Sein government has not changed its habits since it was elected in a sham election in November 2010. Moreover, it will keep on ruling by force rather than looking for a power-sharing agreement with ethnic nationalities. AIPMC also criticizes that it observes no improvement towards democracy in the country if the new parliament remains powerless to act on behalf of the population. On the other hand, the new Thein Sein government has been failing in its responsibility to protect the people.

17 Burmese Soldiers Killed Friday while fighing with KIA Troops near Sinbo

Seventeen Burmese soldiers were killed on Friday, while fighting with Kachin Independence Army (KIA) troops near Sinbo in Mohnyin Township in central Kachin State, northern Burma, said Sinbo residents.

KIA officers in Laiza headquarters confirmed that five Burmese Army soldiers were killed in the morning’s clash while 12 soldiers were killed in the afternoon skirmishes, which began at 1:30 p.m. local time.

Several Burmese soldiers were injured in the clashes, added KIA officers. No casualty has been reported from the KIA side.
The Burmese troops from the Sinbo-based Infantry Battalion No. 141 and KIA’s Battalion 5 were involved in the clashes, said KIA officers.

The Burmese troops are based near the KIA battalion. However it moved a mile away from the KIA battalion after May 25.

The civil war snowballed after government troops mounted an offensive on the KIA’s Battalion 15 in Sang Gang near Taping River in N’mawk (Momauk) township in Manmaw (Bhamo) district on June 9.

Over 10,000 refugees have fled to the China border from four different areas— Laiza, Maijayang, Loije and Ura Bum, according to Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)’s civil administration department.

Most refugees are from the government controlled areas and they are fleeing to the China border for fear of being used as porters by the Burmese Army, according to refugees in Laiza.

The KIO has opened six refugee camps at Laiza and basic food and shelter are being provided by the KIO.

The fighting is continuing for the ninth day between KIA and government troops in Kachin State and Northern Shan State.

 

WAR: Burmese Army’s Southeast Command Prepares Its Troops Moulmein, the capital of Mon State.

June 17th, 2011

IMNA – Burmese government forces from the Southeast Command are preparing over 500 troops in Moulmein, the capital of Mon State.

“I saw a lot of Burmese government soldiers at the Southeast Command this morning, a lot of trucks and weapons but I cannot say where the soldiers will go, maybe they will march to the NMSP area and Karen area,” said a New Mon State Party (NMSP) member from Thaton District.

This NMSP member stated his belief that the Burmese government forces plan to launch an offensive against the New Mon State Party, like they have already done against the Kachin, Karen, and the Shan.

Burmese Troops During Training Exercises

Today, “Burmese soldiers marched into Thaton District,” said an eyewitness, currently living in Thaton District, which is located in Karen State, but controlled by the New Mon State Party.

“It’s possible that the Burmese soldiers will launch into our area, but they have not entered into an NMSP controlled area yet. If they enter into our area, we are ready to fight” said a Thaton District official and a NMSP member.

WAR:Burmese Army Warns Families to Relocate to the Center of Town near Three Pagodas Pass (TPP)

June 17th, 2011

IMNA – The Burmese Army in Three Pagodas Pass (TPP) warned TPP residents living in Quarter 4, or Taung Wine quarter, to relocate to the center of TPP town yesterday.

Recalling the announcement of Burmese Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) No. 284, warning residents to finish their work quickly, a worker commented that, “Yesterday, at noon, they came to us and told us to hurry up finishing our work and move away from here.” The LIB No-284 will transfer from Three Pagodas Pass and the LIB No. 566 will take responsibility for the area in the place of the LIB No. 284.

LIB No. 566 arrived in the Three Pagodas Pass area three days ago to provide extra reinforcements for the Burmese troops.

The orders for relocation from Taung Wine quarter and U Daung Kan Lake came from an inability by the Burmese Army to secure those areas. The Burmese Army has provided security in TPP town. Residents from these two areas are now forced to move in with relatives or friends inside Three Pagodas Pass, or even to temporarily stay on the Thai side of the border.

Information and Public Relations Department in Three Pagodas Pass

 

“Nobody is there [in Taung Wine and U Daung Kan Lake] because the Burmese army has opened a front line for battle there” said a resident from Taung Wine. He already moved from his home in Taung Wine to TPP town.

The situation is increasingly unstable, and because of this, “the students were released from school after only a half day yesterday, with the reason being a bad situation [insecurity]. Today, students didn’t go to school even though the schools are not closed” said a parent living in Quarter 2.

Most commodity shops in TPP have closed since the RPG attack on Aung Tin Win’s shop on June 14th by an armed group. The armed group enter TPP town with four vehicles by way of Taung Wine Quarter and bombed one of the vehicles before leaving the area.

Short URL: http://monnews.org/?p=3022

More than 150 prisoners in Insein Prison in Rangoon were transported to an unknown location by authorities on Thursday.

Some observers said the government might be planning to use the prisoners as porters in its offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State.

Prison authorities selected the prisoners during a line-up on Thursday morning. Most of those selected were long-term prisoners. They were taken away by two trucks and guarded by armed police guards.

http://www.mizzima.com/news/prisoner-watch/5441-prisoners-from-insein-prison-are-taken-to-unknown-location.html

From-China-in-the-Attack-on-KIA-MaungShein-Ordered-to-Get-Ammtns-Heavy-Weapons-From-Loan-MAH-Order-500-Prisoners-Including political prisoner

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UNFC Statement on War Offensive by Junta-burmese

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Burma Freedom Fighters: Myo Yan Naung Thein on Ko Ko Gyi

Media Release No-1-2011 of 88 G Information)

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Over 10,000 refugees flee to China border-by Kachin News TV

WAR:Bahmo township, Kachin State, is said to be under Martial Law after fighting between the Burma Army and Kachin Independence Army (KIA)

16 June 2011
Bahmo township, Kachin State, is said to be under Martial Law after fighting between the Burma Army and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) took place in the area on 14 June, according to local sources.
A curfew is enforced after 21:00 (local time) and every shop and restaurant also has to close by 20:00. Authorities will not take responsibility for anyone outside after the curfew.
Security in the town has tightened as well. Everyone crossing and passing the town is strictly checked and asked to show ID cards by Burma Army authorities. No one is allowed to pass by after 18:00 O’clock, said a source. (SHAN)