Kachin State residents protest against Naypyidaw and Beijing plan to resume Myitsone dam

A protest against the regime’s attempt to resume the suspended Myitsone hydropower dam project and its 2025-26 elections was staged by residents in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, on Wednesday.

“Listen [to] the people’s will, cancel the Myitsone project,” one placard read. “No vote for the sham elections,” read another. Hpakant is located 94-158 miles (151-254 km) west and northwest of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) headquarters of Laiza.

The regime in Naypyidaw is attempting to resume the suspended Myitsone dam project following the end of its elections on Jan. 26, likely due to “pressure from China,” according to the KIA.