January 2005

January 29 — Splinter group of Kachin Independence Organization, Superior Public Council, amasses new recruits from N’ba Pa village and nearby areas in Kachin State, northern Burma. According to the villagers, several dozens of villagers followed splinter group because the group promised to offer 200,000 kyat (US $ 218) for monthly allowance.

The splinter group, led by Col. Lasang Awng Wa, based in New Democratic Army-Kachin headquarters Pang Wa in Kachin State. The group branch out from KIO after alleged coup attempt had been took place in January 2004.

January 26 — A fresh shake-up has been broke out within top Burmese generals this morning, according to the ceasefire groups in northern Burma. Vice-Chairman of junta’s State Peace and Development Council Vice-Senior General Maung Aye was rounded up at undisclosed location in capital Rangoon and his office was closed down.

Rumor has been spreading that Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo and Burma Army’s Yangon Command Commander Maj-Gen Myint Swe were wounded after shooting broke out in Rangoon. Cesaefire groups believe that head of the Burmese military government Senior General Than Shwe is taking planned coup attempt on other generals.

January 26 — Chinese Ambassador to Burma, Mr. Li Jinjun, has met with local Kachin Independence Organization, KIO, officials from a border village, Mai Ja Yang, said village residents.

On January 22, Li Jinjun made an official visit to Mai Ja Yang, a village engulfed with Casinos run by Chinese businessmen, discussing to open an official immigration gate at the border near future. Li Jinjun also asked KIO officials to implement alternative economy, instead of dealing business with Casino boss.

January 23 — Superior Public Council, splinter group of Kachin Independence Organization, asked 12 million yuan from Chinese businessmen who run Casinos in Mai Ja Yang village in Kachin State. The village is controlled under the KIO. The organization set January 21 as a deadline for ransom money at the designated place in China. It also warns Casinos owners who wouldn’t meet the deadline must stop running gambling business in Mai Ja Yang.

January 17 — Kachin State National Congress for Democracy, KNCD, has condemned terrorized assassinations between Kachin political organizations, urging Kachin people to prevent and search out the culprit who practices evil manner.

“KNCD absolutely denounces all terrorized-assassination practices,” said in the statement released by KNCD on fifth of January 2005. “KNCD do not absolutely want assassination because of that is evil manner.” KNCD is the biggest Kachin political party in Kachin state and which won three seats in 1990 multi-party general election. However the party was outlawed by ruling military government in early of 1992.

January 15 — Fighting between men of Kachin businessman Ara La and Shan State National Army officer Aik Ye had been broke out on January 12 at Casino near China-Burma border. A man was seriously injured and two vehicle owned by Ara La was destroyed. The Casino was owned by Shan State National Army.

Chinese citizen Ara La was an aide of former Kachin Independence Organization, KIO, leader Gen Zau Mai. KIO arrested Ara La in 2003 for embezzling of KIO funding. He later fled from custody during alleged coup attempt was took place in January 2004. Then, Ara La becomes vital supporter to KIO splinter group, Superior Public Council.

January 9 — Celebration of 57th anniversary of Kachin State Day has been underway for six days at Shatapru Manau compound in Myitkyina, Kachin State of northern Burma. The celebration begins on January 5.

Delegates from Kachin Independence Organization, KIO, New Democratic Army-Kachin, NDA-K, Kachin Defense Army, KDA, Burma Army’s northern command and Chinese guests are celebrating the festival. Over a hundred Kachin from China and foreigners also participate the State Day anniversary.

State Day celebration is organized by Kachin Culture Oragnization and spending a budget of over 40 million kyat (US $ 42,000).

January 7 — A small scaled bomb had exploded yesterday in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State in northern Burma, according to the residents. No one injured from the bomb blast, which took placed in downtown of Myitkyna.
A staff from Kachin Independence Organization’s, KIO, liaison office in Myitkyina said that a bomb exploded in yesterday’s early morning in a house owned by Muslim family. The house located in Myo Thit quarter in downtown. Local authority arrested two sons of the house owner for interrogation, said KIO staff.