Myanmese President Thein Sein is being hailed for his efforts to end decades of conflict with ethnic Karen rebels - but a brutal battle continues unabated in Kachin state, where a similar fight for autonomy has long been waged.
Ja Seng Khawn, the daughter of Brang Seng, the former chairman of the Kachin Independence Organisation more than half a century ago, told the South China Morning Post: 'The president called for a ceasefire in March. But more troops were sent. Government troops burnt down villages and 65,000 civilians have fled from their homes.'
Observers see the fighting as evidence of a split in the top ranks of Myanmar's government, between the reformist president and pro-Beijing elements of the military, who are fiercely opposed to greater Kachin autonomy in the crucial region bordering China.
A United Nations food convoy was recently sent to the area to feed the thousands displaced by the fighting.
The failure to achieve reconciliation in Kachin state has extended to the political arena. The state was excluded from the April 1 elections that saw Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi sweep into parliament. The government postponed elections for the three Kachin seats, citing security reasons.
The absence of Kachin from the reform process stands in contrast to the new mood surrounding the banned Karen National Union's (KNU) relationship with its long-time foes in the government.
