The Burmese military junta is holding the biggest ever auction of confiscated luxury cars in Myitkyina, the capital of Burma's northern Kachin State since June 10, said local sources.
Over 400 Japanese luxury cars are being exhibited in two places--- the State Football Stadium and inside the precincts of the Burmese Army's Infantry Battalion (IB or Kha La Ya) No. 37 in Myitkyina, said local visitors.
A visitor told KNG, he saw Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Surf, Toyota Van, Toyota Four wheel, Toyota Hilux Pickups and Landcruiser cars in the two exhibition sites. The auction-prices are at least 30 million Kyat (US $29,411) to 80 million Kyat (US $78,431).
The auction is the largest ever in Kachin State and hundreds of businessmen and wealthy people, mainly from Mandalay and Rangoon are attending the auction, according to locals.
Residents of Myitkyina said, the auction is designed mainly for the wealthy and the business class around the country. All visitors have to buy entry tickets worth 5,000 Kyat (US $5).
According to residents of Myitkyina, the original owners of the cars at the two auction sites were residents of Myitkyina and officers of the two Kachin ceasefire groups--- Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K).
The cars were confiscated as military property for operating without license by Burmese Army authorities of Myitkyina. The confiscated cars have been kept in the compound of IB No. 37 since 2000, said residents in Myitkyina.
Sources close to IB No. 37 said the military base sends some confiscated cars annually from Myitkyina to military officers in Naypyitaw, the capital of the country.
In Kachin State and countrywide, many civilians use unlicensed cars because the cost of the license is more than the car prices and the junta has restricted issuing licenses to the vehicles, said local car owners.
According to traders and businessmen in Myitkyina, the military authorities are selling confiscated cars through auctions for much needed funds for Naypyitaw, the capital of the ruling junta.
