Chinese villagers attacked a police outpost on the Sino-Burma border yesterday, according to local sources.

The incident followed action taken against them by members of the outpost on 27 June, at 8:00 (Burma Standard Time).

It was learnt that 16 tolajis (farm tractors) carrying rice from Burmese territory were blocked by Military Affairs Security (MAS) officers at the gate and did not return to the owners till midnight. The tractors were owned by villagers in Chinese territory, said a source.

The outpost is located near Namwan Bridge between Kongkham village in China and Namwan village, Mangwiang village tract, in  Kachin State’s Mansi Township in Burma.

The tractors were said to have been detained until 24:00 hrs though the owners came for negotiation, said a local resident. “So the villagers raided the outpost and destroyed things in the areas. One police truck was damaged.”

During the raid, many police officials were reported to have helped the villagers destroy the truck, he said. “But the MAS officials fortunately decided not to shoot.”

The officer-in-charge of MAS unit has reportedly fled to a neighbouring area after the incident despite villagers’ appeal to take responsibility for their activities.

But so far no one from the Burmese Army has turned up to solve the problem.