India now engaging with anti-coup resistance
Angshuman Choudhury, a researcher on India-Burma relations and security in northeast India, told DVB that New Delhi has increased engagement with armed resistance groups since the Chin National Front (CNF), the Arakan Army (AA), and the People’s Defense Force (PDF), seized control of much of the 1,025-mile (1,650 km) India-Burma border.
“The Arakan Army has been able to capture along proximate India’s border and especially along territory through which India’s Kaladan project passes in northern Rakhine state and southern Chin State has compelled India to probably revisit its single-track policy of engaging the [military regime],” he said.
India invited the civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG), the CNF, the AA, and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), to attend a federalism seminar in New Delhi next month. Indian officials attended diplomatic talks about Burma’s crisis with resistance groups in Jakarta Oct. 5-6. New Delhi has also met with regime officials from Naypyidaw in recent weeks.
Kachin Border Guard Force loses base in rare earth mining hub
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seized the 1002 Battalion of the pro-military Kachin Border Guard Force (BGF) near Pangwa in Chipwi Township, which is located around 114 miles (183 km) northeast of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina, on Monday. KIA-led forces launched an attack to take the base, near the China border, on Oct. 9.
“A number of prisoners of war and weapons were also seized,” a KIA source told Shwe Phee Myay News Agency. Most of the Kachin BGF troops had been recently recruited and had only undergone a few days of military training, according to reports. Pangwa is the capital of the Kachin Special Region 1, which is administered by the Kachin BGF.
Kachin Special Region 1 is a hub for Burma’s lucrative rare earth mining, which was reportedly worth $1.4 billion USD last year. KIA-led forces seized control of the mining towns of Hsawlaw and Chipwi earlier this month. The Kachin BGF was formed in 2009 when the New Democratic Army – Kachin agreed to come under the military’s chain of command.
New trains from Spain pose challenge for railway commuters
Passengers traveling on the Yangon-Bago railway line have complained about boarding and descending two newly-acquired Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) trains from Spain, which began operating on Oct. 2. Emergency iron stairs have been placed at 12 of the 14 train stations along the line to allow passengers to board or disembark.
“Boarding this train from the platform is very inconvenient—it’s too high. The platform isn’t tall enough, unlike with the older [railway bus engine] trains where you could step directly on board. This is a big difference,” said a railway passenger in Yangon.
Railway officials said that the trains are on a trial run along the Yangon-Bago route, which can take up to three hours. Passengers have also complained about the lack of restroom facilities on board. The new trains are expected to run along the Yangon circular route in November, but no official announcement has been made by Myanma Railways.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Telecommunication services in more than nine townships of northern Arakan State have been unavailable after fiber cables that were installed around the Yaw Creek bridge, which connected Myebon and Ann townships, were destroyed by airstrikes conducted by the Burma Air Force on Oct. 12.
“It will take time to restore telecom services,” a telecommunications worker told DVB. The Yaw Creek bridge is located along Yangon-Sittwe highway and is important for transportation between Ann, Myebon and other townships throughout the state. An unknown number of homes near the bridge were also damaged by the airstrikes.
KACHIN—The KIA has confirmed the detention of two reporters to BBC Burmese. Tar Lynn Maung, a reporter for the Red News Agency, and freelancer Naung Yo, were separately arrested on Sept. 29 in Hpakant Township, a jade-mining hub 94 miles (151 km) northwest of Myitkyina. They have been held incommunicado by the KIA.
KIA spokesperson Naw Bu told BBC that they are investigating the two, adding that the exact reason for their detention is still unclear. “We are working for their release and supporting organizations in their efforts to free them,” said an editor at the Red News Agency.
MAGWAY—Two men were killed and 10 others were injured during airstrikes on two villages in northern Gangaw Township, located 222 miles (357 km) southwest of the Magway Region capital, on Monday. Around 10 homes were damaged.
“Six were injured during the airstrikes on Lapo village. Two men were killed while four others were injured in the airstrikes on Bawpyin village,” a Gangaw PDF member told DVB. The military launched an offensive in Gangaw last month.
SHAN—A total 191 relatives of military personnel who were detained have been released by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in Hsipaw Township, located around 47 miles (76 km) southwest of Lashio, on Oct. 12. They were taken by the TNLA after it seized two military outposts in Hsipaw on Sept. 26-27.
“We arrested many prisoners of war and confiscated their weapons. We will release their family members,” Nway Yay Oo, the TNLA spokesperson, told DVB. The TNLA took full control of Hsipaw after it seized the remaining military outpost there on Sunday.
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