Spring Revolution Local News – Feb 14 (Evening)

Summary of News

2. Ministry of Human Rights discloses details of mass shooting and killing of six IDPs in Hsusi Village, Shadaw Township, Krenni State

On February 12, the Ministry of Human Rights of the National Unity Government (NUG) released details regarding a tragic incident involving the mass shooting and killing of seven displaced individuals, including women, persons with disabilities, and children under five. The incident occurred on the evening of February 4, when a military column consisting of approximately 60 junta soldiers from the 249^th Infantry Battalion arrested seven internally displaced persons (IDPs) as they were marching in Shadaw Township, Karenni State. The IDPs were taken with their hands bound together with a rope.

The following morning, at 9:00 a.m. on February 5, six out of seven detained individuals were discovered massacred in a forest area near Hsusi village, while a man managed to survive and escape. Although efforts were made to provide medical assistance to one of the injured children who was still alive on the scene, the severity of his gunshot wound proved fatal, and he passed away while being transported to a nearby medical facility.

According to the survivor’s account, the victims were shot under orders from the commander of the 249^th Infantry Battalion of the military junta.

The Ministry of Human Rights remains dedicated to pursuing equality, peace, and justice for the people of Myanmar through all available means.

3. Deputy Minister of Human Rights assures accountability for the military junta’s offences

In a Facebook post on February 14, Khun Baham Htan, Deputy Minister of Human Rights of the National Unity Government, assured that all the offences committed by the military junta would be held accountable. He stated, “When I engaged with fellow revolutionary comrades at the frontlines leading military operations, such as tactical operation commanders, battalion commanders, and squadron commanders, they raised concerns about the ongoing brutalities committed by the military junta against civilians and our comrades. I am committed to ensuring that all these offences are duly punished in the future. Our current armed forces will eventually be integrated into the Federal Army, replacing the deteriorating military junta’s army. It is imperative that we adhere to military discipline and laws starting now. We must avoid repeating the actions of the military junta, and we must be able to tolerate.”

The military junta and its affiliated groups have killed more than 4,000 people and arrested more than 20,000 people.

4. Chin MPs excluded from the Chinland Council object to the establishment of the Chinland Government, Chinland Supreme Court, Chinland Auditor General, and Chinland Parliament

Chin State parliamentarians who were not part of the Chinland Council issued a joint statement on February 13, expressing their opposition to the establishment of the Chinland Government, Chinland Supreme Court, Chinland Auditor General, and Chinland Parliament by the Chinland Council. They cited concerns over the lack of inclusivity and agreement with other Chin organisations, leading to a division among Chin ethnic communities both within the country and abroad. The objection is primarily based on the Chinland Council’s blocking of officially mandated representatives from attending parliament, resembling actions taken by dictatorial regimes.

The statement highlighted that out of the 39 Chin ethnic representatives elected in the 2020 general elections, including state and union parliament members, only 15 representatives (5 state parliament and 10 union parliament members) were included in the Chinland Parliament established by the Chinland Council. The members emphasised that only those elected by the public have the right to form the Chinland Parliament, and no one other than the voters has the authority to prevent duly elected representatives from participating in the parliament.

Furthermore, the statement underscored that the Chinland Council violated the agreement made during a special meeting among Chin representatives on November 22, 2023. During this meeting, all representatives agreed not to establish the Chinland Council, Chinland Government, or any other organisations until consensus was reached with other Chin stakeholders, including the ICNCC (Interim Chin National Consultative Council), which did not participate in the Chinland Council organising committee’s pre-negotiation meeting.

5. NUG’s Australian representative says the military junta’s compulsory military service further strengthens the people’s resolve to overthrow the military dictatorship

In a Facebook post dated February 14, U Tun Aung Shwe, the representative of the National Unity Government (NUG) in Australia, commented on the implementation of the compulsory people’s military service law, stating, “The compulsory enlistment in this terrorist military significantly bolstered the resolve of the Myanmar people to eradicate this malevolent military dictatorship.”

The junta leader and war criminal, Min Aung Hlaing, enforced the People’s Military Service Law on February 10, 2024, which was initially enacted in 2010. According to the criteria, all men aged between 18 and 35, all women aged between 18 and 27, and individuals with specialised expertise aged between 18 and 45 for men and aged between 18 and 35 for women are required to serve.

6. CTUM states that the compulsory military service order is blatantly abusing and challenging international labour standards

On February 13, the Confederation of Trade Unions Myanmar (CTUM) issued a statement strongly denouncing the unlawful enforcement of the People’s Military Service Law by the junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing. The statement emphasised that “Forced Conscription is Forced Labour,” which blatantly abuses and challenges international labor standards. CTUM expressed that Min Aung Hlaing is openly disregarding the COI report.

CTUM called upon the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and the Council of Global Unions to urge the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to take immediate action against the Min Aung Hlaing regime, urging the ILO to invoke Article 33 of its Constitution during the March Governing Body meeting rather than waiting until the June 2024 International Labour Conference.

“The Min Aung Hlaing regime knowing they are losing, is torching the foundation of the country and we all must unite to squash their attempt,” CTUM stated.

7. Demonstrations against the military regime’s targeting of schools held across Yangon on Children’s Day

The Sanchaung Strike (SC) reported that on Children’s Day, February 13, demonstrations were organised across various parts of Yangon, including schools and buses, to condemn the military dictatorship and denounce the military junta’s assaults on schools. Participants in the demonstrations displayed placards with messages such as “Schools Should Not Be Sacrificed for War” and “Will You Stand by While Military Aircraft Kill Our Children?” Additionally, anti-military dictatorship stickers were distributed during the protests.

Earlier this month, the military junta targeted schools and residential areas in Karenni State’s Demoso Township and Bago Region’s Htantabin Township, using airstrikes and ground artillery shelling, resulting in the deaths of children and other innocent civilians.

The Sanchaung Strike called for the overthrow of the military junta, led by Min Aung Hlaing, which deliberately targets civilian populations, children, schools, and residential areas.

8. AA discloses the capture of all military junta bases in Kyauktaw, including Regional Command Headquarters, supported by photographic evidence

The Arakan Army (AA) officially declared the capture of all military junta bases in Kyauktaw, Rakhine State, including the 9^th Military Operation Command (MOC-9) headquarters and various battalions. This announcement is accompanied by photographic evidence showing AA warriors in front of key locations, such as the headquarters of the MOC-9, the Chief of Police’s office, Myanma Post and Telecommunication (MPT) office, Global Treasure Bank (GTB), Cooperative Department office, Agriculture Department office, Institute of Agriculture (Kyauktaw), township court, Ministry of Labour office, township municipal office, and near Kisapanadi Bridge.

The AA assumed complete control of Kyauktaw Town after seizing the final military base of the junta in Kyauktaw, the 539^th Light Infantry Battalion (LIB-539), on the morning of January 16, resulting in approximately 300 junta troops surrendering to the AA.

9. AA captures an additional junta’s naval vessel, destroying a total of 9 naval vessels in 6 days

The Arakan Army (AA) reported a successful attack on three military junta naval vessels in Kyauktaw Township on February 7 and 8. The AA seized weapons and ammunition from the vessels during the operation.

In another set of clashes reported on February 13 in Minbya Township, the AA destroyed two additional naval vessels of the military junta—one near Pale Pauk village on February 12 and another near Thet Pone village on February 13. This brings the total number of naval vessels sunk by the AA to five, with an additional four vessels damaged beyond use.

10. People’s Defence Force intercepts and captures the military junta’s equipment en route to bases from Homalin Town

The Ministry of Defense of the National Unity Government (NUG) announced on February 14 that the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) battalions under the No. 1 Military Region intercepted a military column transporting troops and equipment from the 89^th Infantry Battalion that had retreated from Aung Zeya village outpost in Tamu Township.

The interception, which occurred on February 13, resulted in the confiscation of military equipment, including two pistols, three machine guns, seven firearms, 12 rounds of RPG grenades, 4,700 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 11,900 rounds of 5.5 6mm ammunition, 980 rounds of carbine ammunition, and 170 rounds of other ammunition. Additionally, four junta troops’ bodies were recovered. No members of the PDF battalions were injured during the operation.

11. People’s Defence Force launches a drone attack on a military junta column entering Depeyin Town

The Shwebo District 14^th Battalion of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), also known as Ye-U PDF, reported a drone attack on a military junta column consisting of about 80 troops as they entered Depeyin Town on February 13. The attack occurred near the security checkpoint at the town’s entrance, where two grenades were dropped using drones.

Ye-U PDF stated that the grenades struck the junta troops, and the extent of damage inflicted on them is currently under investigation.

12. Combined PDF forces launch an attack on a military junta troops in Myaing Township

On February 13, the combined forces of the 2^nd, 6^th, 7^th, and 17^th Battalions of the Pakokku District People’s Defence Force (PDF) and the Maying Township People’s Defence Team (Pa-Ka-Fa) launched an attack on military junta troops near the west entrance of Than Puya village in Myaing Township, Magway Region. The clash involved an exchange of gunfire for approximately 30 minutes, resulting in the deaths of two junta troops and injuries to several others. 

Additionally, the combined people’s defence forces managed to capture military equipment, while a member of the Myaing Pa-Ka-Fa team suffered minor injuries during the confrontation.

13. ASBDF 2^nd Column holds the completion ceremony for the sixth batch of military training

The 2^nd Column of the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) conducted the graduation ceremony for the sixth batch of military training on February 13.

The event included a screening of the internationally acclaimed film “The Way,” which was sent to the ceremony by singer Lynn Lynn and actress Chit Thu Wai.

14. Ethnic Mon party, NMSP (Anti-military Dictatorship), declares their decision to engage in a fight against the military junta

The New Mon State Party (NMSP—Anti-Military Dictatorship) announced on February 14 their decision to actively engage in the fight against the military junta, citing the inability to pursue solutions through dialogue with the regime.

Despite their efforts to seek political resolutions through various means in accordance with the agreements of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), including three engagements with the military junta, the NMSP (Anti-military Dictatorship) emphasised that the regime’s reliance on violence, including arbitrary arrests, torture, killings, and attacks on civilian populations, particularly in various townships within Mon State, rendered further dialogue untenable.

As a result, the Political-Military Leading Group of the NMSP (Anti-Military Dictatorship) concluded that dialogue with the terrorist military junta was no longer feasible. They asserted that the eradication of military dictatorship, along with all forms of dictatorship, was the only way to achieve a federal union that guarantees national equality and self-determination. The Political-Military Leading Group, led by General Secretary Nai Zay Yar and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Brigadier-General Salun Htaw, includes party leaders, members, commanders, troops, and patriots.

The New Mon State Party (Anti-Military Dictatorship) declared their commitment to resisting the military dictatorship and expressed their readiness to collaborate with other ethnic revolutionary organisations in opposing the military junta.

The NMSP had previously signed ceasefire agreements with past regimes since 1995, including the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), and Thein Sein’s government, and later participated in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) negotiations during the tenure of the NLD government.

#Credit : Radio NUG

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