Protestors filled the streets of Kachin state’s capital Myitkyina yesterday demanding a ceasefire between government forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), RFA reported on 6 October.
According to the report, some estimated there were tens of thousands of people from Myitkyina, Winemaw, and Namti. While protests have broken out in Myitkyina during the week, it is unclear if they are having a moderating effect on the fighting, the report said.
The government blamed the renewed fighting on KIA conscripts, saying they are extorting money from local people and planting landmines to fight Myanmar’s army while the KIA blames the government for the renewed fighting, saying the army attacked it because it wants to clear land in the region.