CNI News

10 April 2024

Religious leaders made a request to stop battles breaking out in Kayin State and make peace, said in a letter that was sent to General Saw Johnny, Commander in Chief of the  Karen National Union (KNU)/ the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) by Christian leaders and Buddhist monks within Karen State. 

The title of the letter was a special request for peace and it was sent on 5th April 2024.

Buddhist monks within Karen State discussed at the Lamin Priyatti Sar Thin Daik, a monastery where Buddhist Scriptures are taught to monks, in Hlaingpon Village, Hlagadown Village Tract, Pa-an Township, Karen State.

While seeing the special request of religious leaders

After that, Buddhist monks and Christian religious leaders met in Gyar Taw Ya Monastery in Pa-an City and sent the Special Request letter to the Commander in Chief of the KNLA General Saw Johnny.

Because religious leaders want (1) peace within the entire nation (2) absolute unity (3) everlasting peace, Buddhist monks in Karen State made a special request to free from the damage of religious buildings, roads, bridges, schools, lives and properties of the public and the troubles of the IDPs due to the battles breaking out in Karen State, said in the letter.

While seeing the special request of religious leaders

Moreover, stakeholders involved in the armed conflict should collaborate in building the everlasting peace in a peaceful manner as a show of humanitarian, said in the request letter.

Battles are severely breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the KNLA/PDF joint forces in Karen State. 

Due to these battles, houses are being burnt; local people are fleeing to safety; border trade routes are interrupted and commodity prices are going up.