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KNU chairman Basic Noticed Mutu Say Poe speaks on the public session on March 10, 2023 in Tharu Kyo village. /Nawtayar Media
By The Irrawaddy 14 March 2023
A current assembly between senior leaders of the Myanmar junta-affiliated Karen State Border Guard Drive (BGF) and the anti-regime Karen Nationwide Union (KNU) has been condemned by International Karen Solidarity for Change (GKSC), a gaggle of 68 Karen civil society organizations.
4 Karen armed organizations and a few 500 native residents met on Friday in Tharu Kyo Village in Karen State’s Hpa-an District. In addition to the KNU and the BGF, additionally current had been the Karen Nationwide Union/Karen Nationwide Liberation Military-PC (KNU/KNLA-PC) and the Democratic Karen Benevolent Military (DKBA).
DKBA, KNU/KNLA-PC and the BGF are all splinter teams of the KNU. The BGF is below the management of the Myanmar navy, whereas the DKBA and KNU/KNLA-PC are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Settlement and are at present engaged in talks with the navy regime led by Min Aung Hlaing.
Current on the assembly had been KNU chairman Basic Noticed Mutu Say Poe, KNU Brigade 7 commander Brigadier-Basic Noticed Phaw Doh, KNU central government committee member Padoh Noticed Thamein Tun and KNU protection division head Padoh Noticed Roger Khin, in response to Nawtayar Information, the media mouthpiece of the KNU/KNLA-PC.
BGF chief Brig-Gen Noticed Chit Thu, KNU/KNLA-PC chief Dr. Naw Kapaw Htoo and DKBA chief Brig-Gen Noticed Hsan Aung had been additionally on the assembly.
The Irrawaddy’s calls to KNU spokesman Padoh Noticed Taw Nee went unanswered.
On March 9, the KNU motorcade driving to the assembly got here below a mine assault by unknown assailants whereas touring between Hlaingbwe and Paingkyone. Some automobiles had been broken, however the KNU leaders escaped unharmed.
Some locals current on the assembly requested concerning the potential for a merger between the 4 Karen armed teams, and in addition requested about their plans to deal with worsening playing and drug issues in Karen State. Leaders of the 4 Karen teams didn’t give clear solutions to the questions, stated Colonel Noticed Kyaw Nyunt, the spokesperson for the KNU/KNLA-PC.
Noticed Thu Kabee, the spokesperson of the GKSC, stated that regardless of frequent talks since 2012 on a possible merger the 4 Karen armed teams haven’t but reached any consensus.
“There was no tangible settlement to this point. So the explanation why they proceed to fulfill has develop into a giant query to us. Contemplating the truth that the BGF has been attacking many territories of KNU brigades alongside the junta, it’s fairly meaningless to carry a dialogue on reunification,” he stated.
There’s additionally anger over the truth that BGF chief Noticed Chit Thu is presiding over the Shwe Kokko new city challenge in Karen’s Myawaddy Township, which has develop into infamous as a hub for playing and prison gangs from China.
“KNU leaders assembly with such controversial figures and posing for pictures with them, whereas not giving any particular guarantees to the individuals, will solely tarnish the KNU’s political picture,” stated the GKSC spokesperson.
There have additionally been requires the KNU management to resign over the crime-ridden so-called new metropolis challenge of KK Park, close to the village of Maw Hto Talay in an space managed by the KNU’s Brigade 6 within the north of Myawaddy Township.
KK Park has develop into a hub for human trafficking and on-line scams. Victims have been lured from Malaysia, the Philippines, India, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia by presents of high-paying jobs, however have been pressured to participate in on-line scams and subjected to torture contained in the prison-like park, in response to individuals who have managed to flee.
Final November, a public session on the potential reunification of the 4 Karen armed organizations was held for the primary time in a village within the KNU Brigade 7-held Hlaingbwe Township.
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