Burma-Myanmar: Kachin Independence Army (KIA) clashes with People’s Militia Force in poppy growing area of Kachin State
Fighting between Kachin Independence Army (KIA) troops and those from a government backed People’s Militia Force broke out in Kachin state’s Kampaiti last Tuesday March 22nd. The clash appears to have been triggered by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Third Regiment’s efforts to eradicate opium in the area.
The People’s Militia Force, known in Burmese as pyithu sit, that operates in the area is loyal to longtime New Democratic Army Kachin (NDAK) leader Zahkung Tin Ying. Reached for comment Lt-Col Naw Bu from the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) Central Headquarters in Laiza told the Kachin News Group that fighting broke out between the KIA’s opium eradication taskforce and the People’s Militia Force near Htang Maw Hkang village, which is close to Ngwa Le, the base of the KIA’s Third Regiment.