Sagaing divisional authorities are undertaking a four-step plan to prevent violent confrontations between licensed mining companies and so-called “freelance” jade scavengers at the Khamti jade mines after an altercation two days ago saw four scavengers shot dead by law enforcement personnel.

Neighbourhood watch groups are formed in the lawless jade mining town following two murders in broad daylight.

An ethnic Tai-Leng, or “Red Shan,” schoolteacher was reportedly shot dead by unknown assailants on Wednesday, less than 24 hours after the murder of a fellow Red Shan man in similar fashion, both in the Kachin State jade mining township of Hpakant.

Two freelance pickers were buried under a landslide of excavated soil as they sifted for scraps of jade.

Two jade scavengers were killed and another injured at yet another deadly landslide at Hpakant's mines.

The victim of the shooting told DVB that the mining company previously had no issue with freelancers scavenging at its worksite, but things went sour on Saturday.