Kachin Mutiny Ends

An internal revolt by a Kachin splinter group has ended, while the fate of several of its defeated members remains uncertain.

Ethnic ceasefire group the National Democratic Army-Kachin’s chairman, Zahkung Ting Ying, told The Irrawaddy on Monday that his forces defeated a splinter group of some 40 NDA-K soldiers led by Capt Ku Maw, who last week seized one of the group’s bases in Kampaiti, near the China-Burma border and about 113 km east of Kachin State’s capital Myitkyina.

“The situation [is] now back to normal as the Kampaiti revolt [has] ended,” Zahkung Ting Ying said.

Three of the splinter group’s forces were killed when NDA-K troops retook Kampaiti, and 13 others were arrested, according to Zahkung Ting Ying. The counter-offensive was conducted from May 24-27.

Four of the group’s former members have been accused of fomenting the rebellion and orders have been issued for their arrest. The NDA-K chairman identified the four as Layawk Ze Lum, Lauwa Zawng Hkawng, Mangki Hkawng Lum and Zangwi Hkawng Lum.

The four accused were also involved in last September’s unsuccessful coup at the group’s Pang Wah headquarters that briefly unseated Zahkung Ting Ying. The coup leaders accused the chairman of controlling local business interests and using Chinese soldiers for his personal security team.

The coup leaders were arrested and handed over to Burmese authorities, but they were subsequently set free and allowed to travel to Myitkyina.

“This [the internal revolt] is because of them,” said Zahkung Ting Ying. “They had recruited new people and conducted military excercises, and they came again to ruin us.”

Zahkung Ting Ying added that his group would investigate the revolt and take action against those leaders who are found guilt under NDA-K laws. “We have to arrest them because they caused problems for us.”

The NDA-K leader remains in doubt about possible State Peace and Development Council involvement in the recent revolt. Junta involvement was also alleged in last September’s coup attempt.

Some Kachin have suggested that the recent turmoil within the NDA-K was the result of personal disputes over economic interests among group members.

The Chiang Mai based exile group Kachin National Organization issued a statement on May 26 condemning the conflict among NDA-K members and urging leaders on both sides to find a peaceful solution.

“What we can do is to ask them [Burmese authorities] again to take action against them [four alleged rebellion leaders] as we handed them in before,” Zahkung Ting Ying said.

Layawk Ze Lum was not available for comment on Monday.