I have a very interesting trip. Coincides with my mother’s 90th birthday celebration so there was a great opportunity to meet with many of the Kachin leaders including the former KIO Chairman Malizup Zau Mai, wife of the late Chairman Brang Seng – Ms Kaw Mai and Dr Tu Ja among others.
During my project visit in the KIO area meeting with Chairman Zawng Hra, officers of KIO Agriculture and Forestry Department, Chairperson and members of Kachin Women Association, officers of Kachin Relief and Development Committee (KRDC) have been very enriching for me. The fact that I could travel without any constraints and could meet and discuss with the many leaders and community members indicate stability of the area.
Meeting with Agriculture and Forestry Department officers took place at the KIO agriculture centre Awng Ja located by the Myikyina – Laiza motor way. This is also a plant nursery centre of CNCF project of Metta. Its Head is Hkun Nawng, a veteran officer who also was responsible for Bertil Linter and Edith Mirante’s tours in the 80s. I was also very encouraged to see one of the scholarship recipients to India; Gam Ba in the position of KRDC Head. Furthermore he is part of the KIO detoxification and rehabilitation team. According to him 238 civilian addicts are in the detoxification process while 157 others have already been cleansed and released. During the detoxification period, besides bible studies, the patients have to work in kitchen garden, other cultivation and livestock rearing activities so as to be fully occupied. Health Unlimited has also provided harm reduction checkups and counselling.
We were honoured to have lunch at Chairman Zawng Hra’s home in Laiza who is relax and with lots of “Panglong spirit”.
Kachin Women Association expressed their appreciation of support for the annual youth summer training (this year as many as 400 youth taking part) and their desire for office management training including accounting, bread and coffeecake making. They are also seeking support for higher education opportunities for those 10 grade passed. One of the huge problems they face is the transportation and resettlement support of the returnees who are trafficked victims.
Many families have moved from the Kachin Special Region 2 areas due to uncertainty of the situation between the KIO and the government. Kadaw village under the KIA 3rd Brigade, 15th post is an example. There were over 70 HH when Metta started the Primary School construction in 2009 and today there are only 37. HU has provided midwifery training to 3 of the villagers. UNDP has also been there supporting them with livelihood.
Another is Wawhkyung village in Waimaw Township, declined from over 400 HH to 52 HH. Metta has supported gravity flow water supply project in 2002 (German Agro Action). When the Waimaw-Myitkyina highway construction started in 2005, the water pipes had to be moved. Replacing cost the villagers over Yuan 8,000 (USD 1000) without any compensation. When the road was upgraded again in 2010 all the pipes are destroyed leaving the village with no water supply.
At the meeting during our visit attended by the villagers and 1003 Boarder Guard Post Admin Officer, the issue was discussed and both agree to see how much they can contribute in cash besides manual labour. Metta engineer has calculated 1300 meters of PE pipe needed for 10 tap stands – one each for community primary school, self help clinic and the rest for the 52 residing families. The reservoir and the intake tanks are still sound though a plaster coating is required. The water source is still plenty with the community managing the watershed as well. Metta engineer calculate the cost to be approximately MMK 7,000,000 or ca. USD 8,500.
I have a very interesting meeting with Dr Tu Ja at his Myitkyina home. He joined KIO on 30 June 1975 and resigned from the Deputy Chairmanship on 07 September 2009. He was one of the 9 Chairmen who took turns at the National Convention. He was chosen to submit the draft constitution of the National Convention to the then Commission Chairman U Thein Sein in 2007.
He felt at a loss when the KSPP was denied to be a recognised political party. He realised then that his political involvement would be decided upon the basis of the relationship between the government and the KIO. KSPP was thus dissolved, making ways for the others. Forming of any new organisation will face the same challenges. Will he give up his hope to have an active part in the changing political scene? He knew he cannot sit idle therefore he has taken the risk to have a space to continue his efforts.
KSPP was never meant to be an opposition party – he said. It is a political party with great hope to debate and solve political issues within the parliamentary forum. When he left the KIO he fully returned to the “legal fold.” He joined the KIO for political cause and he would like to continue doing so. He sees the current 2008 constitution much progressive than the 1974 one. Time and space is on his side, he feels. He will prepare for 2015 by which time the 2nd line leaders are ready. As there will be by-election some time later this year and as there are at least 10 seats to be filled in for Kachin state, I very hope he will be able to take up this chance too.
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