I still keep one eye on what gets reported in Burma’s official media. It can be a useful barometer of what’s going on, and what can be said (and left unsaid). For a while now I have been curious that since the start of 2012 there has been basically no reporting in The New Light of Myanmar on events in the Kachin State. In fact, I can’t find a single 2012 article about the Kachin State until the past week.

So, in this context, what has been reported since 8 April 2012 is notable. There has been a surge of reporting from Kachin State, somewhat mirrowing what I earlier described as the “internationalisation” of reporting about the Kachin State.

For posterity’s sake I include the seven recent articles from Burma’s domestic media in full. They cover a range of topics not mentioned by the international press.

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Sabagyi Library put into service in Momauk Township

MOMAUK, 14 April-With the aim of broadening horizon of the local people and developing human resources, a ceremony to open Sabagyi Library was held in conjunction with the publications and cash donation at the pavilion near the library in Myohaung Village of Momauk Township of Bhamo District in Kachin State on 28 March.

The library was built at a cost of K 1 million contributed by the State and K 2,194,400 by the rural people. At the ceremony, Township Administrator U Nyan Hlaing made a speech. Head of Township Information and Public Relations Department Daw Lun Nan Htwe explained the purpose of opening the library and important role for durability of the facility. After that, departmental personnel, members of social organizations and wellwishers donated books and furniture to the library through officials. Chairman of the library committee U San Haung spoke words of thanks.Later, Township Administrator U Nyan Hlaing, Head of Township Information and Public Relations Department Daw Nun Nan Htwe, Minkyan Village-tract administrator U Soe Maung and Library Committee Chairman U San Haung cut the ribbon to open the library. It is 24 feet long, 16 feet wide and 15 feet high building.-Township IPRD

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Kachin State Maha Thingyan Festival opened

NAY PYI TAW, 13 April-Kachin State Chief Minister U La John Ngan Hsai announced the opening of Maha Thingyan Festival of Kachin State at Central Pandal in Myitkyina yesterday evening. Members of region level organizations formally opened the festival.

The Chief Minister and wife sprinkled scented water on choral dancers and those present at the ceremony which was also attended by members of region level organizations, Hluttaw representatives, departmental personnel and local people.

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Kachin State Chief Minister tees off golf tourney, inspects water throwing pandals in Myitkyina

NAY PYI TAW, 12 April – A golf tournament was held to mark Myanmar Traditional Cultural Maha Thingyan Festival for 1374 ME, at Northern Star Golf Club in Myitkyina in Kachin State yesterday.

Chief Minister of Kachin State U La John Ngan Hsai teed off to open the tournament.

Afterwards, the Chief Minister visited water throwing pandals of ministries and companies.

At 7 pm, the Chief Minister attended a presentation ceremony for the tournament and dinner hosted to mark the tournament at the City Hall in Myitkyina.-MNA

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Rural Library opened in Machanbaw Township

NAY PYI TAW, 12 April- A ceremony to open new building of Sheinhti Library was held in Deinchet Village in Ingadeinchet Village-tract in Machanbaw Township of Putao District in Kachin State on 29 March morning.

At the ceremony, Head of Township Information and Public Relations Department U Nan Zae Phon Hsan and Village administrator U Nan Sho Htin cut the ribbon to open the building.

At first, the village administrator made a speech.

The head of Township Information and Public Relations Department explained durability of the library.

After that, the chairman of the Library Committee accepted the documentary video on Ayaykyonyin Kyemon Shide donate by Myanmar Libraries Foundation and 200 books and publications by Township Information and Public Relations Department.- Township IPRD

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New roads commissioned into service in Shwegu

SHWEGU, 9 April-A ceremony to inaugurate U Pon Nya Road and Nga Htin Nge Road as Sanpya Road Section-3, built by Shwegu Township Development Affairs Committee for 2011-2012 fiscal year, were held in Shwegu of Kachin State on 28 March morning.

Township Administrator U Nyi Nyi, Pyithu Hluttaw representative U Win Naing and Executive Officer U Khin Aung Ni of Township Development Affairs Committee formally opened the road.

At the ceremonies, the Township Administrator and the Pyithu Hluttaw representative made speeches.

The executive officer of the Township Development Affairs Committee explained matters related to the new asphalt road.

The newly-opened asphalt road is 12 feet wide and 1595 feet long built at a cost of K 16,540,000.

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Training courses conclude at Vocational Training School

PUTAO, 7 April-The basic domestic science course No. 21 and the advanced tailoring course No. 15 concluded at Women’s Vocational Training School in Putao of Putao District in Kachin State on 23 March morning.

At the ceremony, Deputy Commissioner U Hlaing Tun of District General Administration Department made a speech.

Afterwards, Deputy Commissioner U Hlaing Tun presented prize to an outstanding trainee in the advanced tailoring course.

Next, Township Administrator U Lin Thu Maung of Putao Township gave prizes to the trainees in the basic domestic science course.

Chairperson of Putao Township Women’s Affairs Organization Daw Myat Mon The presented disciplinary award to the trainee; and Principal of the training school Daw Khin Mar Yin gave completion certificates to the trainees.

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Prevention against animal disease talked

HOPIN, 7 April-A talk on bio-security and prevention against animal diseases was given in Tatwin Village of Hopin Sub- Township of Mohnyin District in Kachin State on 25 March afternoon.

The talk was attended by livestock breeding entrepreneurs of the state.

Head of Hopin Sub- Township Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department Dr Zaw Myint Naing explained biosecurity and animal diseases.-Myanma Alin