Ceasefire comes with suspicion in Myanmar

2013-01-20 110

This is the restive state of Kachin in northern Myanmar.

On Saturday, markets here burst into life - one day after the government announced it was halting an offence against local rebels.

Many welcomed the ceasefire

But rebels say the army is ignoring it and one ethnic Kachin woman says she doesn't trust the government.

"The Burmese have told lies to the Kachin people again and again," said this woman.

The ceasefire was meant to halt three weeks of intense fighting between government troops and ethnic Kachin rebels - seen here in a field hospital.

The clashes erupted after rebels blocked a government supply line, part of a 20-month insurgency.

They accused the government of a brutal response, including the use of chemical weapons.

The clashes have displaced tens of thousands of people.