Summary of News
- Acting President Duwa Lashi La extends congratulations to MNDAA on its 35th anniversary
- TNLA and AA extend congratulations to MNDAA on its 35th anniversary
- Five political prisoners afflicted with lower limb weakness from nutrition deficiency in Shwebo Prison
- Spring Tea Ceremony in the United States raises over $15,000 in March for revolutionary funds through food sales and donations
- Karenni coalition launches attack on military junta forces in Hpasawng, Karenni State, seizing significant cache of weapons and ammunition
- Karenni coalition claims elimination of over 160 military junta troops, including high-ranking officers, in offensive to seize Shadaw town, Karenni State
- Forest Fire Engulfs Mobye Town: Approximately 100 homes and church reduced to ashes
1. Acting President Duwa Lashi La extends congratulations to MNDAA on its 35th anniversary
Acting President Duwa Lashi La conveyed his congratulations for the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in a letter sent on March 11.
In the letter, the Acting President expressed his deep respect and pride for the MNDAA’s unwavering commitment to revolutionary principles in the pursuit of liberation for the Kokang region and its people. He acknowledged the organisation’s resilience in overcoming challenges over the past 35 years, leading to significant victories in northern Shan State through joint military efforts, Operation 1027, alongside its northern allies. The Acting President deemed Operation 1027 a historic endeavour aimed at ending military dictatorship, achieving national equality, and securing self-determination for the entire nation.
Furthermore, the Acting President commended the MNDAA for its clear stance and active engagement in the fight for the liberation of all people, particularly following the military’s attempt to seize power on February 1, 2021.
Furthermore, the Acting President took the opportunity to honour the sacrifices made by Kokang fighters throughout the MNDAA’s 35-year history, acknowledging their dedication to the liberation of the Kokang people and the broader liberation of Myanmar.
Additionally, the Acting President pledged solidarity with the MNDAA in their shared objective of eradicating all forms of dictatorship, including military rule, and establishing a new federal democratic union founded on principles of national equality and self-determination.
2. TNLA and AA extend congratulations to MNDAA on its 35th anniversary
On March 11, on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), its two northern allies, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA), jointly sent a congratulatory letter.
In their message, the TNLA and AA emphasised the significance of this anniversary, noting that the Kokang organisation, the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party/the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNTJP/MNDAA), would be able to celebrate it once again alongside the Kokang people across the region starting this year. This celebratory occasion holds special meaning as it allows the MNDAA to commemorate the event on their ancestral homeland, an achievement attributed to the progress made through Operation 1027 as well as their 14 years of alliance, the letter says.
The letter further reflected on the historical periods in the Kokang region, delineating the years between the establishment of the MNDAA in 1989 and August 8, 2009, as a “golden period” for the Kokang ethnic group. Subsequent years, from August 8, 2009, to January 5, 2024, were characterised as Kokang’s journey home or revolution. TNLA and AA acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead for Kokang in terms of reconstruction and development but expressed confidence in the MNDAA’s ability to overcome these obstacles based on its past experiences.
Furthermore, TNLA and AA pledged to continue their strong alliance with MNDAA, both militarily and politically, and uphold their shared principles and beliefs.
Under the current leadership, TNLA and AA expressed their hope that the political aspirations of the MNDAA would soon be realized, ushering in a return to the “golden days” of Kokang.
Additionally, the two allies paid tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives during the Kokang revolution and Operation 1027, during the Kokang’s journey home.
3. Five political prisoners afflicted with lower limb weakness from nutrition deficiency in Shwebo Prison
According to a statement released by the Political Prisoners Network-Myanmar (PPNM), five political detainees in Shwebo Prison, located in Shwebo township, Sagaing Region, have developed lower limb weakness due to malnutrition. The PPNM attributes this to various factors, including the unsanitary conditions in the prison, the insufficient nutritional content in the rice and curry provided, the lack of space for movement, and the limited time prisoners spend outside their cells, which contributes to symptoms resembling lower body paralysis.
A medical professional associated with the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) suggests that the absence of medical treatment, vitamins, and necessary medication while experiencing such symptoms could potentially lead to paraplegia. The prison clinics merely administer painkillers like paracetamol when prisoners seek medical assistance, according to the PPNM.
Reportedly, prisoners in Shwebo Prison are being fed low-quality rice, despite Shwebo being an area known for the cultivation of high-quality rice. Additionally, they are served meat and fish scraps, chicken necks and wing bones, as well as fish heads.
According to the PPNM, instances of lower limb weakness among prisoners have become more common following the coup d’état orchestrated by the military. The PPNM spokesperson said that between two and five prisoners are diagnosed with this condition every month, with over 50 cases reported thus far. While some individuals have recovered partially, they continue to struggle with walking gait and balance issues.
4. Spring Tea Ceremony in the United States raises over $15,000 in March for revolutionary funds through food sales and donations
The Spring Tea Ceremony is a self-help group of members of the Myanmar community in the San Francisco Bay Area who prepare and sell a range of Burmese cuisine to raise funds in support of the Spring Revolution through monthly fundraising event in four cities within the San Francisco Bay Area, where a significant Myanmar ethnic community resides.
The funds raised each month are directly donated to various revolutionary organisations operating in both ethnic regions and central Myanmar. Typically, donations are distributed to approximately 20 to 30 different organisations on a monthly basis.
This March, they announced that they had collected a total of $15,465 for their 27th fundraising event.
The Spring Tea Ceremony extended its heartfelt gratitude to individuals who contributed by providing their culinary dishes for sale at the event, those who made monetary donations, those who provided plants for sale, those who offered farm-fresh fruits for sale, and all those who supported the effort by making purchases at the event.
5. Karenni coalition launches attack on military junta forces in Hpasawng, Karenni State, seizing significant cache of weapons and ammunition
According to a statement issued by the Karenni People’s Liberation Army (KPLA) of the Karenni National People’s Liberation Front (KNPLF), a coalition comprising KPLA Battalion 9420 and Karenni revolutionary forces launched an attack on military junta forces stationed at two locations in Hpasawng on March 9. The targets included junta forces positioned at the intersection near Than Lwin Bridge (Hpasawng) and other junta forces stationed at a temple. Following the attack, the Karenni coalition successfully seized 17 firearms, ammunition, anti-drone devices, and other military equipment. However, the statement did not mention any casualties among the junta troops.
The Karenni coalition initiated a coordinated offensive against military junta forces in Hpasawng, Karenni State, at the end of February and successfully captured Hpasawng Police Station on March 5. The KPLA indicated that the military junta has merely relied on airstrikes to counter the coordinated offensive by the Karenni coalition.
Facing setbacks on the ground, in one instance, the military junta conducted an airstrike on Kwatthit ward of Hpasawng on March 3, resulting in the deaths of five civilians and injuring at least 20 others.
Local reports indicate that approximately 90 percent of Hpasawng, including residences, shops, and other structures, have been destroyed by the junta’s aerial bombardment.
6. Karenni coalition claims elimination of over 160 military junta troops, including high-ranking officers, in offensive to seize Shadaw town, Karenni State
In a statement released on March 10, the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) disclosed that during the offensive to capture Shadaw town in Karenni State, over 160 military junta troops, including a colonel, a lieutenant colonel, a major, and a deputy police chief, were eliminated. The statement also indicated that the Karenni coalition initiated a coordinated offensive against military junta installations in Shadaw town in mid-January and successfully seized the entire town by February 12. The KNDF affirmed that prisoners of war (POWs) captured during the offensive, along with their families, have been treated in accordance with international regulations and laws.
Moreover, the statement outlined clashes that occurred in February with military junta forces in Loikaw township, Shadaw township, and Bawlakhe township of Karenni State, as well as neighbouring Pekon township in southern Shan State. Notably, intense daily fighting erupted in Loikaw, where the revolutionary coalition besieged military junta forces, leaving the junta forces reliant solely on aerial support after ground routes were cut off. Additionally, the statement reported frequent artillery shellings by military junta forces within Loikaw town, causing extensive damage to residences.
In Bawlakhe, the Karenni coalition successfully captured the 12-mile hilltop outpost of the military junta, situated between Bawlakhe town and Myothit town, on February 8, seizing 12 firearms, 4 artillery weapons, and ammunition.
Regarding Pekon, two clashes broke out with military junta forces in February, with consistent unprovoked artillery shelling reported throughout the month.
Additionally, the statement mentioned that in February, the military junta forces abandoned three strategic bases along the east bank of the Thanlwin River and the Myanmar-Thai border.
Additionally, it reported civilian casualties in February, with 25 individuals killed and 25 others injured due to long-range artillery fire, aerial bombardments, as well as arbitrary arrests and killings by the military junta. The KNDF strongly condemned the military junta for its blatant violations of human rights and commission of war crimes.
7. Forest Fire Engulfs Mobye Town: Approximately 100 homes and church reduced to ashes
According to the Moebye People’s Defence Force (MPDF), a forest fire that originated in the northwestern area of Moebye town swept through the town, razing approximately 100 houses and a church to ashes in Pekon Township, Karenni State.
The fire began around 11 a.m. on March 9 and quickly advanced into Moebye town. Despite the efforts of comrades from MPDF Battalion 1001 to create firebreaks and douse the flames, the fire rapidly spread due to strong winds.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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