The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), one of the ethnic ceasefire groups that continues to reject transforming into the junta’s Border Guard Force, has denied having anything to do with the bomb blasts on 17 April at the Myitsone dam site on the Irrawaddy River in Kachin State, northern Burma, according to a senior KIA officer.

“If it were us, we would have done it to the Burmese Army soldiers. But the blasts took place a few miles away from the Burmese soldiers’ camps,” the officer said. “It is likely to be its own handiwork and the blame was put on us because we rejected its BGF programme.”

According to local sources, bombs exploded around 02:40 (Burma Standard Time) at different places near the dam zone. Over 37 bombs were planted but only 25 exploded, said a source from the Sino-Burma border.

However, there were no damages or injuries reported. “Four cars owned by Asia World Company and three cars owned by Chinese companies were burnt to the ground including four offices,” he said.

The Kachin News Group (KNG) reported that four people died and over 12 people were injured. Most of the dead and injured were Chinese workers.

Today, some top Kachin leaders were reportedly summoned to Myitkyina by the commander of the Northern Region Command regarding the explosions. No further details were given.

The dam project is to generate 300 KW of electricity to be sold to China’s Yunnan province. It has been under construction since 2009 by the Asia World Company, Burma’s Ministry of Electric Power No.1 and China Power Investment Corporation (CPI).

Many Kachin organizations and local people have urged the military junta to put a stop to the project on the river.