KACHIN—The Burma Army has searched the homes of Kachin Independence Army (KIA) officers and others killed during the airstrikes on Hpakant Township. These raids took place on Oct. 25, the day after the airstrike that killed over 80 people attending a KIA ceremony. “They [Burma Army] went around the houses of wealthy people who were killed in the attack. Families [of the victims] are worried and crying,” a person who knows one of the victims killed told DVB.
Relatives of the victims have fled the Hpakant area. They say the Burma Army threatened to arrest them if they hosted funeral processions for their loved ones killed. Junta forces closed gates in A Nang Pa to stop all vehicles from entering the area. It ordered the arrest of anyone caught anyone transporting casualties from the scene of the crime.
“I heard Nant Yar gate on Hpakant Road is closed for three days. The injured and dead are not allowed to be transported from A Nang Pa. Two people from each victim’s family are allowed to go to cremate or bury the bodies [at A Nang Pa], but they are not allowed to transport the injured or dead individuals from A Nang Pa,” a source said. Security forces stationed at checkpoints near A Nang Pa have been ordered to conduct strict inspections. Over 80 people have been killed and more than 90 were injured during the airstrike.
