CNI News
8 July 2026
On July 6, 2026, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) detained Daw Nyunt Yi and U Win Zaw, leaders of the Shanni Cultural Dance Group from the Indawgyi region in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State, along with numerous local Shanni residents from Nam Mee Laung village.
According to local residents, the KIA frequently detains Shanni ethnics in the Indawgyi region under various pretexts, conducts forced recruitment, extorts money, and subjects locals to physical abuse and torture.
A local resident from the Indawgyi region stated: "Right now, we don't know why they detained Daw Nyunt Yi and Ko Win Zaw. They also took locals from Nam Mee Laung village. The reason remains completely unknown. The KIA's bullying, arbitrary detentions, and mistreatment of the Shanni people have been ongoing from the past until now. Acting this way feels like pushing toward ethnic conflict. If the SNA (Shan Nationalities Army) started detaining Kachin people the way the KIA is currently detaining Shanni people, what would happen? Therefore, relevant leaders need to effectively resolve this situation."
KIA leader General N'Ban La is pictured
Locals reported that Daw Nyunt Yi, U Win Zaw, and the numerous Nam Mee Laung villagers detained by the KIA are currently being held at the Nyaung Pin detention facility.
In a similar prior incident in June 2025, the KIA also detained Sai Sein Lwin Oo, Chairman of the Indawgyi Region Shanni Traditional Literature and Culture Committee, along with residents from Kone Ma Na village.
In a separate development, it is reported that intoxicated KIA members shot and killed two civilians near Hwei Hka village in the Hpakant region on July 7, 2026.\
