The Burmese military junta’s strong arm tactics has forced jade mining companies in Hpakant jade land in Kachin State, northern Burma to cough up money for the 65th Burmese Armed Forces Day in the Northern Regional Command in capital Myitkyina on March 27, said jade company sources.

On the orders of the Northern Regional Commander Maj-Gen Soe Win, who is close to the ruling junta’s No. 2 man Vice Snr-Gen Maung Aye, army officers collected funds from jade mining companies in Hpakant, just before the Tatmadaw Day, or Armed forces Day in the Northern Command, sources added.
Jade company sources told Kachin News Group, the amount in cash was collected depending on the size and financial strength of companies--- at least 200,000 Kyat  (US$204) each for small companies, between 500,000 Kyat (US$510) and 1,000,000 Kyat (US$1,020) each for medium-sized companies while large companies gave 1,500, 000 Kyat (US$1,531) upwards each.

All jade mining companies had to pay the demanded amount to the fund collectors of the Burmese Army, added local jade companies.

Sources close to NC told KNG today, the collected fund was also sent for the anniversary day’s military parade in capital Naypyitaw.

In November, last year, th Burmese junta collected 2.5 million Kyat (US$2,551) from each jade company in Hpakant in the name of transforming the New Democratic Army-Kachin to the Border Guard Force under the control of the Burmese Army.

Currently, there are over 200 jade mining companies in Hpakant.  The junta annually earns the third highest foreign revenue from Kachin jade sale.