The Burmese Army has despatched four battalions to Kayan areas to prevent saboteurs causing damage, local sources said.

Battalions under the Regional Control Command -- LIB No. 337 from Loikaw Township, IB 421 from Moebye, LIB 223 from Palaung and Division 85 from Laykaung region in Madalay province have been sent to reinforce troops in Kayan areas, the sources said.

Sources close to Burmese officials said that more Burmese troops have been deployed in Kayan areas for fear of five saboteurs enterning the region. Five youth activists are alleged to have planned bombings in Nayphidaw, the sources said.

Khon Rawbinsan, a spokenperson of the Kayan National Generation Youth, said “The five student activists’ leader is Chai Chai and we heard he led saboteurs and moved to Kayan land.”

The Burmese military claims to have moved four batallions in Kayan areas for a month, though the LIB 337 battalion claims it is for two weeks.
The Burmese Army has deployed battalions in Phyichaw, Kyotchaw Phulaw, Kasan, Taungtan, Laydukaw, and Bawkahta in Kayan areas.

The areas are close to where the Kayan Newland Party is located, which rejected the Burmese regime’s proposal to transform to BGF.

A KNP soldier said “To provide security to Kayan people, we are prepared if clashes begin between us and Burmese Army troops.”