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Kachin people take shelters from possible air attacks
Published on Sunday, 30 December 2012 12:56
Maijayang IDP camp near Laiza Township seen on Dec 29 (Photo-EMG)
Kachin people in Laiza township, where the headquarters of KIO/KIA is located, are now constructing air-raid shelters and bunkers for protection from the possible air attacks of government air force.
Some civilians are also taking shelters in the drainage channels beside Liza creek.
The heavy attacks occurred after Brig-General Tun Tun Naung, a northern commander of the government’s army, ordered the KIA on December 23 to leave the route of Lajayang by December 25.
Government’s jet fighter and helicopters flew over Liza Township on December 28 morning, and a fighter-bomber also passed the sky above near the base of KAO/KIA on December 29.
Civilians take protection from possible air attack in Laiza Township on Dec 29 (Photo-EMG)
Skirmishes between the government army and KIA rebels occurred at about 8 miles from Laiza headquarters on December 29.
“Some 65,000 civil war refugees are now staying at the refugee camps under the control of KIO/KIA,” said Dubisar, Chairperson of Central Committee for IDPs, on December 29.
Maijayang IDP camp near Laiza township is the largest camp, and is now keeping over 7,000 civil war refugees.
At present, the number of internally displaced persons has amounted to 14,000 at the refugee camps near Laizar Township.
There are more than 30 IDPs camps along the Myanamr-China border.
“The number of war refugees is 65,310 according to the data. Most of them are Kachin people and some are Shan ethnics,” said Dubisar.
He said that although their committee planned to provide each refugee with two cans of rice and 200 kyats for curry every day, they have not got money yet. The IDPs are now in needs of clothes and medicines.
“Maijayang IDP camp was set up in July 2011. The total amount for humanitarian assistance has reached 9 million Chinese Yuan and 600 million Myanmar kyats,” said Dubisar.
He also said KIO/KIA welcome the propose of any organisations for the humanitarian assistance to IDPs.
More than 2,400 skirmishes have raged over the year in Kachin state between June 2011 and December 2012 , and the number of IDPs has been over 60 thousands under the control of KIO/KIA and nearly 100 thousands at the side of government controlled area.