Summary of News
- Public movement plans to counter junta’s forced conscription in towns and villages underway
- NUG Representative U Linn Thant labels supporters of evil military junta as thorns in revolution’s side
- Alliance of Students’ Union Yangon (ASU) establishes consultation channels to address students’ concerns amidst military junta’s forced conscription and post-coup turmoil
- Formation of Convening Committee for Rohingya Consultative Council involving various Rohingya representatives
- Canada Embassy issues strong condemnation of junta’s ongoing atrocities and human rights violations
- Arakan Army seizes full control of junta’s 552nd Light Infantry Battalion in Buthidaung, and ensures well-being of all detained prisoners of war (POWs) and families
- Revolutionary allies seize control of Kawt Bein police station in Karen State, ensuring proper treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) and families in line with international laws
- Chief of KNU’s Defence Department calls for unified resistance efforts
- Junta forces in Kyaikto, Mon State, arrest and kill civilian without cause
- Armed junta-appointed village administrator escapes capture by local revolutionary forces, leaving firearm and ammunition behind
1. Public movement plans to counter junta’s forced conscription in towns and villages underway
In a recent episode of the “People to People” interview programme, Union Minister Dr. Zaw Wai Soe disclosed plans for a collaborative strategy with ethnic organisations and ground forces to combat the military junta’s forced conscription. This strategy involves organising public movements in towns and villages, which will run concurrently with the ongoing armed resistance efforts.
Furthermore, the Union Minister emphasised that individuals seeking to evade the military junta’s forced conscription law can reach out to the National Unity Government and ethnic resistance organisations through designated hotlines and seek refuge in liberated areas. He also noted that those wishing to remain in their homes can still participate in public movement efforts.
2. NUG Representative U Linn Thant labels supporters of evil military junta as thorns in revolution’s side
In a social media post dated March 26, U Linn Thant, Representative of the National Unity Government in the Czech Republic, asserted that individuals supporting the evil military junta are thorns in the revolution’s side. He stated, “The terrorist military, relying on weaponry, has been perpetrating inhumane atrocities such as killings, sexual assaults, and the destruction of schools, hospitals, churches, and mosques through arson attacks and aerial bombardments targeting the entire populace, including various ethnic groups such as Kachin, Karen, Karenni, Mon, Rakhine, and Bamar, for many years until the present. This is why the entire populace is risking their lives to terminate this evil system and evil military in Myanmar. Those who align themselves with this evil military, whether by serving within it or providing support, are thorns in the revolution.”
Furthermore, he reiterated his commitment to fighting alongside those who persist until the military regime is defeated.
3. Alliance of Students’ Union Yangon (ASU) establishes consultation channels to address students’ concerns amidst military junta’s forced conscription and post-coup turmoil
On March 27, the Alliance of Students’ Union Yangon (ASU), comprising various Yangon-based students’ unions including Dagon University Students’ Union (DUCU), Yangon University of Foreign Languages Students’ Union (YUFL SU), Yangon Technological University Students’ Union (YTUSU), West Yangon Technological University Students’ Union (WYTU SU), Myanmar Maritime University Students’ Union (MMUSU), University of Computer Studies, Yangon Students’ Union (UCSY SU), G.T.I Insein Students’ Union, and National Management Degree College Students’ Union (NMDCSU), announced the launch of consultation channels. These channels aim to provide a platform for students to address concerns arising from the current political situation in Myanmar safely and securely. Additionally, a Telegram channel under the username @ConsultSU has been set up to facilitate safe consultations for students.
Students from all regions of Myanmar are encouraged to use these channels to reach out to the ASU or their respective students’ unions to discuss their concerns, including educational issues, mental health challenges, and exploring options such as seeking refuge in liberated areas.
4. Formation of Convening Committee for Rohingya Consultative Council involving various Rohingya representatives
On March 26, 2024, Rohingya human rights activists and political figures made a significant announcement regarding the formation of the Convening Committee for the emergence of a Rohingya consultative council. Comprising eight organizations and twenty-five individuals, this committee is dedicated to representing the priorities and interests of the Rohingya people while leading the development of a unified Rohingya political platform.
According to the announcement, the Rohingya Consultative Council aims to function as a cohesive platform, uniting Rohingya politicians, activists, organisations, women leaders, youth advocates, intellectuals, professionals, and community representatives from various regions worldwide.
5. Canada Embassy issues strong condemnation of junta’s ongoing atrocities and human rights violations
On March 27, the Canadian Embassy in Myanmar issued a statement condemning the ongoing atrocities and human rights violations perpetrated by the junta, coinciding with Anti-Fascist Resistance Day. The statement underscored the Myanmar military’s failure to fulfil its obligation to protect its citizens and safeguard the country.
It denounced the deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, including aerial assaults on homes, schools, healthcare facilities, and places of worship, as well as the widespread use of sexual violence against women, actions that flagrantly violate international law. Additionally, the statement criticised the junta’s refusal to allow vulnerable populations, including the Rohingya, to seek refuge, deeming it completely unacceptable.
The statement reiterated calls for the military junta to cease its brutal violence and urged all countries to immediately stop the sale or transfer of arms, military equipment, dual-use items, aviation fuel, and technical military support to the Myanmar military. It reaffirmed solidarity with the people of Myanmar and expressed hopes for a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive future.
6. Arakan Army seizes full control of junta’s 552nd Light Infantry Battalion in Buthidaung, and ensures well-being of all detained prisoners of war (POWs) and families
The Arakan Army (AA) successfully seized control of the military junta’s 552nd Light Infantry Battalion (LIB-552), which operates under the 15th Military Operations Command (MOC-15) headquartered in Buthidaung, Rakhine State, on March 25, following a 32-day offensive that commenced on February 24. According to the AA, the prolonged duration of the offensive was attributed to fierce resistance from the military junta, which coordinated its defences with both ground and air forces.
According to the AA, a significant cache of weapons and ammunition was confiscated alongside the capture of LIB-552 and the surrender of numerous junta troops. The AA reported that efforts were made to track down and capture junta troops who managed to escape during the base.
Additionally, the AA announced the successful capture of a police outpost in Ta Man Thar village, located in Maungdaw township, Rakhine State, on the same day, following the surrender of approximately 100 junta members who were defeated by the AA forces. Alongside the outpost, a substantial quantity of weapons and ammunition was seized.
Furthermore, the AA stated that it has been providing care for the surrendered junta troops and their families, totalling around 1000 individuals across Rakhine State and Chin State’s Paletwa region.
7. Revolutionary allies seize control of Kawt Bein police station in Karen State, ensuring proper treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) and families in line with international laws
Revolutionary allies, including the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) of the Karen National Union (KNU), along with Company 3 of the Albino Tiger Column, Strategic Column of the Lion Battalion Commando, the Mon Liberation Army (MLA), the New Mon State Party (Anti-Dictatorship), Drone Unit (G2/G3) of the Galon Column, the Alphabet Fixed Wing Drone Force, and the Saw Dragon Drone, successfully seized control of the police station in Kawt Bein village, Kawkareik township, Karen State, on March 25 after a two-day offensive.
According to the Galon Column, during the confrontation, junta soldiers employed family members and children of the police station as hostages. Due to this, the revolutionary allies had to proceed with extreme caution to ensure the safety of these individuals. The Galon Column emphasised that the capture of the police station was achieved without harm to these hostages, owing to the sacrifice and skilful tactics of the revolutionary allies.
During the offensive, many junta soldiers and police officers were captured. The Galon Column assured that the detained prisoners of war (POWs) and their families are being treated in accordance with international humanitarian laws and are receiving necessary assistance.
Tragically, one member of the Galon Column sacrificed his life during the operation, while two members of the revolutionary allies sustained non-critical injuries.
8. Chief of KNU’s Defence Department calls for unified resistance efforts
In an address of encouragement to fellow revolutionary patriots released on March 26, P’doh Saw Hser Gay, the Head of the Karen National Union’s (KNU) Defence Department, emphasised the importance of unity and bold advancement in the collective pursuit of the shared objective. While the KNU’s top leadership had previously signalled their intention to intensify the struggle against the military dictatorship, this marks the first time such a direct call has been made to revolutionary comrades.
P’doh Saw Hser Gay commended all the courageous revolutionaries who have demonstrated unwavering commitment, willingly sacrificing their lives, sweat, and bodies in this revolution, similar to the aspirations of the Karen people. He paid tribute to those heroic revolutionaries who have made the noble sacrifice for the establishment of a new federal democratic nation, ushering in an era of peace and securing fundamental rights, freedoms, and existence.
P’doh Saw Hser Gay stressed the importance of maintaining steadfast discipline and boundless enthusiasm in the revolutionary struggle, urging adherence to the principles and regulations of their cause as the path to rightful advancement in the noble battle for liberation. He urged comrades to unwaveringly uphold the soldier’s code, embrace the political ideals and roadmap of the KNU, and dedicate themselves to the pursuit of truth as they march forward in unity towards victory alongside the people.
9. Junta forces in Kyaikto, Mon State, arrest and kill civilian without cause
A statement from the headquarters of the Karen National Union (KNU) reported that on March 22, a civilian named Shein Ko Ko (also known as Bo Shein), aged 33 and from Shan Su village in Kyaikto, Mon State, was unjustly arrested and killed by a joint force comprising the military junta’s 3rd Light Infantry Battalion and 8th Infantry Battalion.
This combined military force operates as a security unit along the Yangon-Mawlamyine Road and operates under the command of the junta’s No. 44 Light Infantry Division, stationed in Thaton, Mon State.
10. Armed junta-appointed village administrator escapes capture by local revolutionary forces, leaving firearm and ammunition behind
The Golden White Dove People’s Defence Force (Myingyan) reported that it had joined forces with the Hero Defence Force (Myingyan) to capture Zaw Min Moe, a village administrator appointed by the junta and armed, from Aing Ma village in Myingyan township, Mandalay Region, on March 26 around 1:00 p.m.
The operation reportedly resulted in an exchange of gunfire when Zaw Min Moe resisted with a carbine provided by the junta. He managed to escape, abandoning the carbine, two box magazines, and 43 rounds of ammunition, which were subsequently confiscated by the revolutionary forces.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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