For the first time, Burmese Army troops began a three-day long investigation in the Maijayang (Mai Ja Yang) casino on the China-Burma border in northeast Burma, in areas under the control of the ethnic Kachin ceasefire group, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), said border sources.

The entry of Burmese military officers into Maijayang comes a week after the Chinese media alleged that the KIO kidnapped over 50 Chinese nationals, mostly youths in Maijayang casino, said KIO officials.

According to Kachin residents of Maijayang, over 60 Burmese soldiers and policemen in uniform with arms arrived in Maijayang in the KIO controlled area on January 28 evening. They checked hotels around the casino and hospital except inside casino compound.

Meanwhile, about 300 Burmese troops including Mogaung-based Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 74 and Myitkyina-based IB No. 37 are stationed in the outskirts of Lweje (Loije) town and the entrance gate to Maijayang from Lweje about 2 miles from Maijayang casino, said local eyewitnesses.

Before the Burmese Army entered Maijayang, they sought permission from KIO officials in Laiza headquarters on the border wanting to check for kidnapped Chinese youth in the hotels in Maijayang where the casino is located, said KIO sources.

Since the evening on the day that Burmese troops arrived in Maijayang, the casino has been temporarily closed and several Chinese casino owners are staying away from the Maijayang casino, said residents.

The KIO vehemently denied Chinese media reports regarding the kidnapping of Chinese youth for money.

In a situation like this, the KIO is preparing for the Kachin traditional Manau dance festival titled 'Shadip Manau' on the 48th anniversary of the Kachin Revolution Day which falls on February 5 in Laiza headquarters.