CNI News

9 February 2024

While the preparations were made to hold the Kachin National Revolution Day in Kutkai, northern Shan State, the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF/TNLA) prevented  the celebration and the Kutkai Kachin Messenger Association objected the TNLA's prevention, the association stated on 6th February, 2024.

In commemoration of 63rd anniversary of the Kachin National Revolution Day that fell on 5rh February, while Kachin people in Kutkai were hoisting Kachin national flags in the courtyards of their home, some TNLA troops entered and prevented the celebration, broke the flagpoles, tore off the flags, took the flags away and kicked the flagpoles, saying according to the above order, said in the statement.

After saying that the TNLA attacked and captured Kutkai, the TNLA troops ordered and treated Kachin people like a dictator. Moreover, the troops threatened aiming guns at the unarmed people, said in the statement.

The issue should be resolved by the responsible leaders of both sides as soon as possible, a former member of the Hluttaw told the CNI news agency.

" If the superiors coordinate with each other quickly, it will be convenient, I think. We have to worry even if there will be racial issues. Now, villagers don't dare to go home. 25 percent only of the villagers went home, I think. We don't want racial issues. We don't want to comment about the military affairs. It will better if the TNLA and the KIA negotiate." he said.

While seeing the TNLA force

After the KIA had raised flags in the Ta'ang monasteries in Namphekka in the past, there were tensions between the two ethnic groups, he added.

The TNLA troops despised the three-fingered sign that is a symbol of the Spring Revolution and said even though the people raise three fingers, they would have to live under the TNLA and these actions were protested on behalf of Kachin people in Kutkai, said in the statement released by the Kutkai Kachin Messenger Association.

As armed organizations should exercise restraint, considering for the public, a Kachin ethnic told CNI News.

 " It's very important to armed organizations to exercise restraint. Rather than arguing who is right or who is wrong, it is very important to bring the public the truth after thinking it over." he said.

The Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP/SSA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS/SSA), the People Defense Force (PDF), the Tatmadaw and militia including the KIA and the TNLA are active in norther Shan State.