March 2004 March 30 — Kachin Independence Organization has denied that the execution of a bodyguard soldier of decease Col Lazing Bawk, who was assassinated by bomb explosion on February 26. According to the Myu Tsaw Ginwang E-mail group, Lazing Bawk’s bodyguard N’hkai Nan Awng was killed during interrogation on March 9. KIO said Nan Awng is alive and living with his father in Laiza.
March 28 — Investigation on the assassination of Col Lazing Bawk is going on, but there is unable to dig out the culprits yet, said Kachin Independence Organization.
March 23 — None of Kachin Independence Organization members, who fled from headquarters since January, have returned, however KIO gave amnesty and urged them to come back.
March 19 — A huge forest fire broke out in northern Burma closed to the Chinese border as China is trying to foil by setting up 30 meter wide trench, according to the Xinhua.
The estimate location of fire is about 40 miles (64 kilometres) east of Kachin State capital Myitkyina. The fire broke out since Sunday and China dispatched some 2,000 forest fire fighters from Baoshan of China’s southwest province Yunnan.
March 18 — Burma’s mining authorities have designated several new locations of gems mining for local companies under the bidding system in the areas of Phakant, Lonkhin and Nantyahseik in Kachin State, according to the International Diamond Exchange online. Phakant area in northern Burma is famous in producing the world most precious jade stone. Some 10 private companies have established a joint venture in gems and jade with the Ministry of Mining under the profit sharing basis since 2000.
March 17 — The world's most ambitious project to establish a protected region for tigers to escape extinction has been given official approval by the Myanmar (Burma) government. The signing of the document by Myanmar leaders more than triples the size of the 2,500-square-mile (6,500-square-kilometer) Hukawng Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established in 2001. The increase in size will expand the sanctuary to an area more than twice the size of Yellowstone National Park in the U.S.—or nearly as large as the state of Vermont.
March 16 — Kachin Independence Organization has announced amnesty to its members who fled from the organization since the alleged coup attempt had broke out in January 2004. The amnesty statement released officially on February 24 and is not included some leading members who accused of plotting the coup.
March 11 — Over 300 students from University of Myitkyina rounded up No. 1 police station and demanded to release 10 students who were arrested by the police after the clash between students and police.
March 10 — Deputy commander of Kachin Independence Army’s 3rd brigade Maj Sumlut Gun Maw is to move to Kachin Independence Organization’s headquarter, Pajau, after he got promotion as deputy general secretary of the organization.
March 9 — Kachin Independence Organization has launched ‘War on Drug’ led by vice chief of staff Zawng Buk Htang. He led over 500 KIA soldier to destroy poppy fields near the area of New Democratic Army-Kachin.
