A Kachin rights group says Burmese forces are continuing to block humanitarian aid, use civilians for forced labor and reinforce military positions in the war-torn northern state.
The Kachin Peace Network claims that three medical supply trucks of the International Committee of the Red Cross were stopped at Loi Je town on Feb. 25. After lengthy negotiations, they were allowed to proceed to Mai Ja Yang, but were not allowed to continue to Laiza, where tens of thousands of people displaced by the conflict are living in relief camps. It also accuses the Burmese government army of confiscating local trucks to transport arms, ammunition and food rations for their troops on the Bhamo-Loi Je motorway, and forcing civilians to carry army supplies on their horses.
2013.03.02 The Irrawaddy Accuses Burmese Army of Blocking Red Cross Aid