The Burmese military junta in Loije Township in Bhamo District in Kachin State, northern Burma has started issuing license for Chinese manufactured unlicensed motorcycles in Loije since yesterday, a source said.

This is the first time that the regime is issuing licenses in Loije. The authorities have notified that if more unlicensed motorcycle owners are interested in having a license, the period for issuing it would be extended, a resident said.

The license fee for a motorcycle is between 110,000 Kyat and 200,000 Kyat (estimated US $93 - $169). The charges for the license vary depending on the type of motorcycle and its model, a resident said.

Applicants have to give Chinese Yuan 50 (US $7.4) as donation to the Burmese government's fund (yan-pung-ngwe), a resident added.

"Earlier, the authorities were not seizing unlicensed motorcycles in Loije. Now what we hear is that after issuing the license it would start confiscating motorcycles," a resident in Loije told KNG.

Unlicensed motorcycle owners are not sure whether the license is being issued for driving inside Kachin State or all over the country. This is one reason why many are hesitant to apply for a license so far.