NDA-K Denied Investigation on Bomb Explosion

December 22, 2004 — New Democratic Army-Kachin, NDA-K, has denied a proposal form Kachin Independence Organization, KIO, to jointly investigate on December 10 th bomb explosion, which is believed to have been assassinated to NDA-K leader Zahkung Ting Ying.

“NDA-K didn’t accept jointly investigation by two groups [KIO and NDA-K],” said in the KIO statement released on December 17. Ting Ying had narrowly escaped from bomb explosion near Washawng Village, 12 miles (19 kilometer) east of Kachin State capital Myitkyina.

During the interview with Radio Free Asia’s Burmese service last two week, NDA-K spokesperson Col Mukyin Dau Hwang tried to mention that KIO is responsible for the bomb explosion, and without giving specific evidence. “There are not many organizations in Kachin State,” said Mukyin Dau Hawng.

KIO has strongly denounced the bomb explosion, stating that is an evil act, according to the statement. KIO Gen-Sec Col Gunhtang Gam Shawng said NDA-K’s accusation to KIO is like an immature action.

The KIO statement said, KIO also decided to cooperate with Burma Army to search out perpetrator of the bomb explosion. “No one would believed if we do investigation alone [KIO],” said Gam Shawng.

On last Saturday, KIO dispatched its vice general secretary Maj Sumlut Gun Maw and intelligence chief Lt-Col Zai San to discuss for further investigation of bomb explosion with NDA-K.

Yesterday, KIO delegate met representatives from Burma Army’s Northern Command in Myitkyina, explained about the bomb explosion. Gam Shawng said that Burma Army wants us to find out the culprit, however, it has been tight mouth for both KIO and NDA-K to ask how to work out the problem.