25 June 2021
Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) Information Center Officer warned the Kachin people to have military alert and prepare security requirements since battles can take place even in urban areas at any time. Moreover, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked the compound gate at the entrance of Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, and thus the military troops shot KIA’s hill stations with heavy weapons. We caught up with the KIO Information Center Officer Colonel Naw Buu to interview about these happenings.
MPM : It was heard that in the night of June 23 the military troops fired with artilleries to KIA’s hill stations, including the stations near Laiza. Why did they attack?
NB : On June 23 between 7:45 pm and 8:00 pm KIA attacked the Minnar Compound Gate. After that, the military troops reattacked with heavy weapons to KIA hill stations around 9:30 pm. Amongst those hill stations, they shot near Majayang but it was not very near to Majayang. And they also shot near Laiza, Laizin hill and Palam Bum as well. However, they shot to the 6th Ballation of 9th Brigade. Yes, this is the situation of Kachin State.
MPM : Did any battle take place due to such kind of shooting? How did Myitkyina Entrance Gate incidence start?
NB : We did not respond upon the artillery shooting to our KIA hill stations and there was no fighting at all. However, after KIA attacked the Minnar Compound Gate, the small fighting took place through mutual shooting. Later KIA withdrew its forces. At that time, the military troops started shooting with small and large weapons and such shooting led to a serious big battle.
MPM : From where did the military troops fire against KIA hill stations of near Laiza?
NB : Perhaps they shot from Dawt Phon Yang, Phon Pyan Bum, Khara or Gam Dung. They can also fire shooting from the place where the Gideon Battle took place.
MPM : How about in Majayang?
NB : A lot. There are a lot of camps they stationed in Sein Lon Bum.
MPM : Why did KIA Battalions attack the Compound Gate?
NB : I am not sure about that. Now I cannot say as to why they attacked the Gate because the responsible leaders have not reported yet.
MPM : How about the military expansion of the Military Council?
NB : Yes, it has expanded the forces in Myo Thit Kon Law, Law Lan and also in Dawt Phon Yang. They also reinforced weapons and food supplies for their troops.
MPM : What do you want to say to the people since the battlefield has now reached till the entrance of Myitkyina?
NB : I don’t have anything special to talk to the public. However, this is the revolutionary time that the whole country is fighting against military dictatorship. The revolution is taking place not only in our Kachin State but also in the major cities such as Yangon and Mandalay. The people in major cities are also fighting against military dictatorship. Therefore, if KIA does not fight, there are many groups, like PDFs, that will start operation. I think the people should always alert military situations and check the military news – they should be alert rather than before. I want to suggest that the people should prepare the safety arrangement in advance for their own and their families since the battles can take place at any time.
Sent by
NMG
