Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) on Friday condemned the recent bombings in Myitkyina in Kachin State, urging the government to hunt down the culprits. A bomb blast in an orphanage killed 10 people.
“We condemn all activities that threaten and attack civilians in bomb attacks. We condemn not only this event [orphanage bombing] but also all the attacks that have frightened the residents,” KIO spokesman La Nang said.On November 13, a bomb explosion in an orphanage owned by Dayaung Tangoon killed 10 people including his two sons and a grandchild. Twenty-seven people were injured. Meanwhile, Dayaung Tangoon has been detained for interrogation by police.
In the fighting in Kachin state, the KIO said it suspects that government forces may have used some form of chemical weapons during recent clashes. KIO soldiers reported symptoms of dizziness and vomiting while fighting government troops in Yingaryang village in early November.
KIO officials said it has sent some material to a laboratory in a foreign country to test for chemical elements, and it suspects that some form of poisonous gas may have been used during the fighting.
Meanwhile, on Thursday fighting between government troops and KIO brigades No. 5 and 3 broke out at Gayayang village on the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road in Waimaw Township and in Aungja village in Dawphoneyang sub-Township.
Moreover, in Shan State, 13 government battalions comprising about 1,000 soldiers have deployed in Monekoe sub-Township, a control area of KIO Brigade No.4; Tamongnye Township and Nanhkan Township, and daily clashes are occurring, said Colonel Zau Yaw of KIO Brigade No. 4.
Meanwhile, a KIO statement urged the government to hold a political dialogue as a first step for national reconciliation.
