Locals and students in Myitkyina protest against resumption of Myitsone Dam project

By Admin 26 May 2026

DMG Newsroom

26 May 2026, Myitkyina, Kachin State

University students and youths in Myitkyina staged a protest on May 25, 2026, calling for the complete cancellation of the Myitsone Dam Project and opposing attempts by Myanmar’s military regime to resume the project, according to the Kachin Human Rights Watch (KHRW).

The regime has reportedly formed committees to restart the Myitsone project and has been holding propaganda meetings with local residents across various townships in Kachin State under various pretexts, sources said.

“We are seeing activities carried out by committees formed to resume the Myitsone Dam Project. Since this project is likely to bring far more negative impacts than benefits, university students currently in Myitkyina and local youths have joined forces to protest against the continuation of this dam,” said a youth participating in the campaign.

A statement by KHRW said construction of the Myitsone Dam could lead to social, political and economic consequences, with local residents in Kachin State bearing the brunt of the impacts.

It added that the regime’s push to resume the project amid the current political instability is further fueling armed conflict.

KHRW director Seng Mai said, “We have recently observed an influx of weapons and military convoys to escalate military operations in Kachin State. These movements are aimed at securing areas around the Myitsone project site, Belt and Road Initiative routes and natural resource extraction zones.”

KHRW said forcing local residents to attend gatherings and show support while hundreds of thousands of people are displaced by war and living in fear amounts to intimidation and human rights violations.

University students in Myitkyina and local residents, along with communities living along the Ayeyarwady River, have vowed to continue their opposition until the Myitsone project is completely cancelled.

KHRW also said it will continue to monitor and document human rights violations, impacts and consequences related to the project.