Over at Hugawng Kachin, there is a useful little post with comparative maps of the Burmese army battalions based in the Kachin State in 2006 and 1994 (when the Kachin Independence Organization ceasefire was signed). In 1994 there were 26 battalions located mainly near Myitkyina and along the north-south trunk route through the southern part of the State.
Now there are 41 battalions based in the State with a proliferation of smaller outposts at strategic points from Hpakant to Sadung. Anybody who has recently driven on the road between Myitkyina and Bhamo will have seen the number of relatively new bases north of Bhamo. These are all clearly marked on the 2006 map.
Do have a look at these important maps. I wonder if the information for a 1984 map is available anywhere? What about 1974? 1964?
2 responses so far ↓
1 aiontay // Feb 24, 2007 at 11:04 am
If someone had pretty good KIO/KIA contacts it should be relatively easy to get information on where the battalions were in 1984, 1974, 1964 and all the years in between. It would also be interesting to know where there were (are) in relation to the Kachin populated areas in the Northern Shan since the Kachin rebellion started north of Lashio.
2 New Mandala » The 500th post // Feb 27, 2007 at 5:29 pm
[...] 1. We show that a global collaboration can help shine light on Southeast Asia’s diverse societies and polities – from coyote dancers to military bases in Kachin state. [...]
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