FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

Steps taken by Northern Alliance to reduce tensions

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA/KIO) spokesperson Naw Bu told DVB that it has taken steps to reduce territorial disputes with Brotherhood Alliance members: the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), in northern Shan State.

The TNLA had ordered KIA troops to abandon its liaison office in Kutkai Township on April 15. The MNDAA closed a Kachin literature and culture office in Monekoe, Muse Township, on April 23. “I have been informed that the problems with the MNDAA have been resolved,” said Naw Bu, the KIA spokesperson. 

TNLA spokesperson Tar Bong Kyaw claimed that it had settled its dispute with the KIA. “We agreed to discuss peacefully, respect each other without giving burden to the people,” said Naw Bu. The KIA, along with the three members of the Brotherhood Alliance: TNLA, MNDAA, and the Arakan Army (AA), are called the Northern Alliance. 

India-Burma border in Mizoram State to remain open

The Assam Rifles corrected itself on Monday stating that the border between Mizoram State of India and Burma will not be closed starting May 1, the Times of India reported. The Assam Rifles, a paramilitary group under the command of India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, told village leaders along the India-Burma border that the crossing would be closed.

“We told the Assam Rifles that Mizoram being the most peaceful state in the northeast as also in the entire country, the paramilitary forces should not indulge in activities that could create panic among the civilians,” said an anonymous official in the Mizoram State government.

Residents of Rikhawdar in Chinland, a town located on the border with Mizoram in Burma, said the No. 2 India-Burma Friendship Bridge was closed on April 19. The Indian government announced that it would suspend its Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Burma last February, which allowed nationals of both countries to travel up to 16 km on either side of the border for up to two weeks without a visa, using a border pass.

Chauk in Magway Region records highest-ever temperature

A record-setting temperature of 48.2 degrees Celsius was documented in Chauk town, Magway Region, on Monday. This is the highest-ever temperature recorded since Burma began monitoring 56 years ago. Aid groups claimed that the death toll in Chauk due to heatstroke has spiked in April compared to previous months. 

“Most of the deceased are elders. We normally cremate 30 bodies per month. There are at least four people who die daily in the town because of the record heat,” said an aid worker. At least 55 Chauk residents have died due to heat stroke, while 28 died in March, 36 in February, and 45 in January. 

The temperature reached 46 degrees Celsius in Nyaung-U of Mandalay Region and 45.5 in Sagaing town of Sagaing Region on April 28, according to the regime’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. It recorded temperatures of 45 and 40 degrees Celsius in Mandalay and Yangon on Monday. This heat wave hits Burma especially hard since there isn’t reliable electricity to cool homes and workplaces. 

News by Region

ARAKAN—Construction of the Tha Htay Chaung hydropower project was stopped on April 24 due to fighting between the AA and the Burma Army in Thandwe Township. “We saw the staff from the project move construction tools to somewhere else on April 26. Chinese nationals from the site also evacuated that day,” said a Yecauk village resident. Nearly 10,000 villagers have been displaced from their homes due to fighting since April 13. 

KACHIN—Mohnyin Township residents said that the Burma Army and a pro-military militia seized and set fire to seven dump trucks on Saturday. The trucks were en route from China to Hpakant but were stopped at a check-point. “They [military] asked for 200 million Kyat from those trucks but the offer fell through, so they burned the trucks that morning,” said a Mohnyin resident.  

MON—The Karen National Union (KNU) claimed that 25 buildings, including three schools, were destroyed by an airstrike in Tagalaung village of Bilin Township on Sunday. “The village is in a KNU-controlled area and there are no ongoing-clashes. Luckily, no one was injured,” said Padoh Saw Aye Naing, the KNU secretary of Thaton district.  

YANGON—Regime officials handed out eviction notices to more than 500 households in Mayangone Township on April 26. “We have been living here for 25 years and it is difficult to move elsewhere. Most of the residents here are not rich,” said a Mayangone resident who received an eviction notice. The regime administration told residents that they must relocate by May 27 and that it will not provide any assistance. 

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