University students and young people in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, launched a campaign protesting the junta’s efforts to restart the Myitsone Dam, which has been suspended for more than a decade.
The campaign demanding the complete cancellation of the Myitsone Dam was led by the Kachin Human Rights Watch (KHRW) and carried out on May 25 by university students and young people in Myitkyina, KHRW said.
The main reason for the objection is that the Myitsone area is regarded as a sacred natural landmark not only in Myitkyina Township but across Kachin State, and it is the source of the Ayeyarwady River, considered a lifeline for the people of Myanmar.
Despite strong public opposition, the junta has not abandoned plans to restart the Chinese-backed dam project in the Myitsone area and is reportedly attempting to persuade local communities through various means, the KHRW stated.
The junta has formed various committees aimed at restarting the Myitsone Dam project and is reportedly attempting to influence local residents through both incentives and threats, but local youth remain strongly opposed to the project, a young participant in the campaign said.
“We saw the junta forming various committees, all with the sole aim of resuming construction of the Myitsone Dam. That is why young people, along with university students in Myitkyina, are protesting against plans to move the project forward,” he told KHRW.
The KHRW emphasized that implementing the Myitsone Dam could have significant negative social, political, and economic consequences.
“The implementation of the Myitsone Dam project could lead to flooding, which would have serious consequences not only for the people of Kachin but also for the entire country of Myanmar,” a woman from Myitkyian also said.
KHRW director Ma Sai Mai said the junta was using different labels for events aimed at attracting public support for the Myitsone Dam project and was pressuring those reluctant to attend to take part. She further warned that excessive unilateral pressure from the junta to resume the project amid the current political and military volatility could further escalate tensions.
“The junta is currently ramping up reinforcements and supplies to expand its military operations in Kachin State. At the same time, it is seeking to restart the Myitsone Dam project and regain control of natural resource extraction areas along the Silk Road,” she said.
The KHRW slammed the junta’s attempts to coerce public support for its own benefit at a time when hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing their homes due to conflict, calling it a violation of human rights.
It also said it would continue monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, adverse impacts, and related problems linked to the Myitsone Dam project.
The KHRW added that it will continue to demand the complete cancellation of the Myitsone Dam, alongside university students from Myitkyina, local communities, local youth, and people living along the Ayeyarwady River.
The junta has already held more than 20 rallies in Myitkyina, Putao, Danai, and Monghnyin townships to promote the resumption of the Myitsone Dam project.
