A Hpakant resident told KNG that more than 30 workers mining for jade near Karen Chaung village in Hpakant township of Kachin State, were arrested around 5:30 PM on November 23 and have not yet been released.
They were arrested and interrogated by the Military Council troops stationed at Htoo Company’s jade mining compound near Karen Chaung village.
The local resident elaborated,” “They (the soldiers) are stationed in that compound where big machinery parts are stockpiled. It is not far from Karen Chaung. I heard that the youths are being interrogated about whether they are PDFs or related to KIA”, a local said. PDF refers to (People Defense Forces) and KIA (Kachin Independence Army)
The Military Council troops stationed in the Htoo Company compound arbitrarily pounded at Thaung Kaw village with artillery on the night of November 24, and an artillery shell landed in the village, killing a civilian injuring 6 more and burning down 4 houses.
On November 24 clashes broke out between the KIA-PDF joint forces and the Military Council at around 4:30 PM. After these incidents, the Military Council shot small arms randomly, and made arrests of civilians, locals said.
