CNI News
27 December 2025
Residents in Momauk Township, Kachin State, report that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is forcibly imposing Kachin cultural and administrative identity on local Shanni ethnic villages.
In villages such as Khon Sint, Tar Sai, Myothit, Man Nawng, Hintha, Si Hut, Kon Law, and Tharli, the KIA has reportedly replaced the standard school curriculum with its own. Changes include appointing Kachin teachers, requiring students to wear Kachin traditional dress (white tops with Kachin sarongs/longyis) instead of standard uniforms, and constructing Christian religious schools where children are required to attend church.
Locals further claim that morning Buddhist prayers in schools have been banned. Traditional Shanni festivals and Buddhist holidays are reportedly prohibited, while only Christmas is allowed to be celebrated. Furthermore, national holidays such as Martyrs' Day, Independence Day, and Resistance Day have been banned in favor of KIA and Kachin-specific commemorative days.
A local resident from Momauk Township stated:
"They appointed a Kachin woman as the school principal. If a school previously had 30 teachers, they replaced 15 of them with Kachin individuals. We are now forced to study the curriculum provided by the KIA. Regarding festivals, only KIA and Kachin holidays are permitted. They celebrate the KIA’s Martyrs' Day, but we are forbidden from observing the National Martyrs' Day or Independence Day. It is a process of 'Kachinization.' Some villages are even having their names changed to Kachin names. In some villages where there were previously no Kachin households, Kachin people have moved in and settled since the KIA took over administration. They are shaping these into Kachin villages and gradually erasing our Shanni traditions."
The KIA captured Momauk Township in August 2024 and currently maintains administrative control over the area.
Following the takeover, KIA civil administrative teams arrived in villages like Khon Sint, Tar Sai, Myothit, Man Nawng, Hintha, Si Hut, Kon Law, and Tharli to implement the KIA’s administrative, educational, and cultural systems.
CNI News attempted to contact KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu regarding these allegations, but no response has been received yet.
Currently, the KIA is expanding its controlled territory by capturing towns in Kachin State, Sagaing Region, and Northern Shan State. Additionally, it is providing arms and ammunition to other armed groups across various regions and states in an effort to overthrow the Myanmar military.
