"Shan communities and local Members of Parliaments are holding a press conference today in Yangon, to call for an immediate cancellation of the Upper Yeywa dam in northern Shan State and the Upper Kengtawng dam in southern Shan State, citing devastating social and environmental impacts which will inflame the ongoing conflict. Both dams, still under construction, were started under the previous military regime, without informing or consulting local communities, and lie in heavily militarized conflict zones. Villagers in Hsipaw – where fighting rages until today -- have repeatedly petitioned to stop the Upper Yeywa dam on the Namtu (Myitnge) river, but efforts by Shan MPs to oppose the dam have been voted down in the Naypyidaw parliament..."