Kachin ceasefire group denies blasts in Irrawaddy-Myitsone dam site

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of the ethnic ceasefire groups that still refuse to transform into junta’s border guard force, has denied having anything to do with the bomb blasts which took place on 17 April at Myitsone dam site in the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State, northern Burma, according to a senior officer from the KIA.

“If it were us, we would have done it to the Burma Army soldiers. But the blasts took place only a few miles away from the Burmese soldiers’ camps,” the officer said. “It was likely to be their own handiwork and the blame was placed on us because we rejected its BGF program.”

According to local sources, bombs exploded around 02:40 (Burma Standard Time) at different places near the dam zone. Over 37 bombs were set but only 25 exploded, said a source from the Sino-Burma border.

However, there were no damages or injuries reported. “Four cars owned by Asia World Company, 3 cars owned by Chinese companies were burnt to the ground including 4 offices,” he said.

Kachin News Group (KNG) reported that there were four people died and over 12 people injured. Most of the dead and injured were Chinese workers.

Today, some Kachin top leaders were reportedly summoned to Myitkyina by the order from commander of the Northern Region Command regarding the explosions. No further details were given.

The said dam project is to generate 300 KW of electricity and to be sold to China’s Yunnan province. It has been under construction since 2009 under Asia World Company, Burma’s Ministry of Electric Power No.1 and China Power Investment Corporation (CPI).

Many Kachin organizations and local people have urged the military junta to stop the project on the river.

Source :http://shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3004:kachin-ceasefire-group-denies-blasts-in-irrawaddy-myitsone-dam-site&catid=90:environment&Itemid=287

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