Two bombs blew up again this morning in Myitkyina, Kachin state, in northern Burma. The explosion occurred at Myoma block, near a station and a muslin pali, at about 6 a.m. No one yet claims responsibility.
"It was in front of an ice factory behind the pali in Myoma block, but I don't know details. Yes, it is confirmed," said Major Khun Mau, second secretary and central committee member of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), adding that that many KIO officers are in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State, to celebrate the harvest festival.
It was the first bomb blast in 2005. Last year, three bomb attacks occurred in the Kachin ethnic dominated area, particularly assassination attempts on the leaders, but there was no clear information about the culprits.
Observers believe there is deep conflict between rival Kachin armed groups, and that Rangoon's generals have been manipulating the dividing forces.
Reportedly, there have been disputes between Kachin army leaders and a group of mainly Chinese businessmen regarding the sharing of business interests such as gold and gem mining, and the forest.
However, there was speculation too that all assassination attempts may be the start of the power struggle. An unsuccessful coup took place in January 2004 at the KIO headquartersat Liaison Bum.
On Feb, 26, 2004, Col. Lazing Bawk, deputy chief of Staff of the KIA, was killed by a bomb blast in the bathroom of his house in Laiza, a town adjacent to the Chinese border.
On Sept. 15, Bawmwang Hsinwa Naw, a member of another cease-fire group, New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), and a brother of Bawmwang La Raw, and Chairman of Pan Kachin Development which ran several education and health-care projects in Kachin State, was killed by a bomb blast.
On Dec. 10, NDA-K leader Zahkung Ting Ying's vehicle was was hit by a bomb and he narrowly escaped an explosion because he shrewdly traveled in the next car.