The KNU Central announced yesterday, “All people under the junta mechanisms should leave from Kawkareik township in KNU’s Doopalaya District within 7 days”.
A KNU’s official says, “I think Kawkareik Township’s KNU announced the statement because they would have a plan in this township. They are taking action on what has been announced before.”
The KNU announced the statement yesterday. In the statement, the KNU claims that they have repeatedly warned all people under the Junta’s administration to leave Kyeikdon, Kawkareik, Sukali, and Wale Myaing in Kawkareik township.
A Kawkareik resident said, “There are still the junta staff in the city. There are still those at the junta gate. Even if the office does not open, they are still doing their work from home for the junta. Those also live in the city. They are not people from other cities”.
In addition, the KNU statement also stated that it is a last warning to leave the city, within 7 days from the date the order was issued, as soon as possible.
The KBZ banks have closed, and only Irrawaddy Bank is still in the city. I heard that the KBZ employees have been transferred to Myawaddy and Hpa-An, according to a resident.
Therefore, if the junta employees do not comply with the KNU statement, the KNU will not be responsible for the problems that will arise in the future.
P`doh Saw Tony, a spokesperson of KNU, said in his message to the public, “Today’s battle is clearly black and white. The people serving under the junta will face a loss sooner or later. We do not want to see this happen to our fellow brothers in our country. That’s why we would like to claim the junta service to cooperate with us after making the right decision before it’s too late”.
Last October 27, a fierce battle broke out between the Karen National Liberation Army-KNLA joint forces and the military junta inside Kawkareik town. The Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs (OCMSA) and the police information office were burned down, and there were casualties from the junta side and some weapons and ammunition were also seized.