July 2004

July 30 — Local authorities have arrested a video documentary maker in northern Burma for distributing hundreds of copies of a video which contains footage of a devastating flood in Myitkyina, the Kachin State capital, said sources in the town today.

Lazing La Htoi, the owner of Htoi San Press in Myitkyina, recorded scenes of last week’s flood with his hand-held video camera and recorded 300 copies on to video compact disc, or VCD. He was arrested on July 27 for filming scenes of the flooding. Authorities also shut down Cyber Computer Centre, the computer shop which produced the documentary, for an indefinite period. Military authorities have kept a tight lid on the news of the flood.

July 29 — Kachin Women Association of Thailand, or KWAT, said that it had organized 76 Kachin for constitutional affairs training at Maija Yang village in Kachin State. The training was concluded in early of July and lectured by two trainers from Burma Lawyers’ Council based in Thailand. KWAT was founded on December 9, 1999.

July 27 — Metta Development Foundation, a NGO promotes developments project in ethnic areas in Burma, is seeking US $5,000 to help for flood victims in Myitkyina, Kachin State. According to the Metta report on the flood, not less than 5,000 homes were damaged around greater Myitkyina and about 50 peopled were died. Many people are taking refuge at the temporary shelter camps and dire to access clean water.

July 26 — Vice chairman II of Kachin Independence Organization Dr Tu Ja met with with Kachin religious leader, community leaders and businessmen on July 24, explaining about the national convention organized by Burmese military government. The meeting held at the office of Kachin Consultative Assembly in Shatapru, Myitkyina.

Dr. Tu Ja and his party recently come back from Yangon after the national convention recess on June 9.

July 20 — Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, arrested Naw Tawng, a youth closed to Rev Doi La, a leding member of Kachin Independence Organization’s faction group based in Pang Wa, according KIA officer. On July 18, Naw Tawng, 22, was arrested in Laiza, and interrogated by KIA intelligence officer Zai San, alleging him of working for Rev Doi La.

Rev Doi La told The Kachin Post that Naw Tawng was kept under inhumane conditions and the arrest order comes from KIA chief of staff Gen N’ban La.

July 19 — Massive flooding hit Myitkyina, 600 miles north of Rangoon, after rains caused the Irrawaddy River to overflow. Myitkyina and surroundings areas are inundated. According to a government survey, the river’s water level reached 1,406 centimeters, the second highest mark in 38 years.

On July 18, two-third of the Shatapru quarter, N’jang Kawng, Myitkyina Industrial Zone, Karing Naw resort in Manhkring and Myo Thit Gyi quarters are flooded.

July 15 — The opening ceremony of Myitkyina district Kachin Baptist Convention’s Youth Football match hold today at the Nyeing Chan Tar Yar Football ground in Myitkyna, Kachin State.

The ceremony started at 3:00 o’clock in the evening where the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) Secretary Reverend Hkalam Sam Sun gave an address, U Sein Tong, Chairman of Kachin State Sport Committee gave a foreword, Reverend Zahkung Lum Hkawng pray, and Reverend Kumshin Bawk Naw give a blessing. The final tournament will be held on August 7.

July 8 — At least six people were missing and the headquarters of Kachin Independent Army, or KIA, third brigade was destroyed by mass sliding, which occurred in eastern Kachin state, along the Chinese border, according to the KIA.

The mass slide was caused by raining heavily since July 14 midnight. The KIA third brigade based in Wa Ra Bum Mountain was severely damaged and all the roads nearby were ruined.

July 6 — Gen-sec of Kachin Independence Organization, or KIO, Col Gunhtang Gam Shawng said all the Kachin political organizations should target Yangon as a battle front, instead of making problems amongst the Kachin organizations. He refers to the Kachin National Organization, or KNO, leader Bawmwang La Raw’s involvement in couple coup attempt to overthrow the KIO.

Bawmwang La Raw, who lives in England, was declared as No.1 obstructive enemy of KIO. Col Gam Shawng added that Bawmwang La Raw was involved in attempting to overthrow the KIO Headquarters in February 2001 and January 2004.

July 2 — 12th anniversary of the Kachin Christian Fellowship (KCF) will be held in Tokyo, Japan on July 11. Rev Dr. La Wu, one of the founding members of the Kachin Christian Church in Japan, was invited to come to Japan from Burma and he will lead the ceremony. Most Kachin people in Japan are preparing for the anniversary energetically in spite of their different religion groups.

“I expect the KCF members will get courage and unity,” said the KCF secretary Htawshe Hawng Hkawng. “I believe all Kachin people from all over the place will pray for us.”