Kachin Rebels Hold 30 Burmese POWs

9 January 2013

The Kachin Independence Organization has more than 30 prisoners of war (POW) and wants to return the captive Burmese soldiers to the Burmese army, 88 Generation Students leader Mya Aye has told Mizzima. The activist visited the Kachin army’s headquarters in Laiza last week. “The KIO wants to transfer these 30 POWs,” Mya Aye said. “The Burmese authorities have signaled their desire to receive them.” One POW died in Kachin custody recently after he was shot in the abdomen during a Dec. 27 battle at Lajayang, a strategically important area near Laiza.