LOIKAW- The Karenni youths who protested against the construction of Bogyoke statue to be placed in Kayah State yesterday morning opened the protest camp in front of the Office of National League for Democracy (NLD) in Loikaw Township, Kayah State under the permission of Township Police Office.
“We are waiting for the NLD’s EC members for the whole night. But, they didn’t meet us. And then, we heard that Dr Myo Nyunt[NLD’s spokesperson] attended the opening ceremony of Bogyoke Statue. It means that he supported the public who hosted the opening ceremony of the statue. So, we already opened the protest camp aiming to oppose the building of Bogyoke statue,” said Dee De, a leader of Karenni youths who is also charged with Peaceful Assembly Law.
The Karenni youths waited for Dr Myo Nyunt, NLD’s spokesperson, the Chief Ministers from Kayin State and Mandalay Region as well as officials from the NLD because they[Karenni] heard that the authorities would attend the opening ceremony of Bogyoke[General Aung San] Statue.
The opening ceremony for erecting of Bogyoke Statue was held in Loikaw Township, Kayah State, on February 2nd and it was attended by mostly of NLD members from Kayah State.
Around 2,000 supporters who are also NLD members coming from various Townships toured around the Loikaw Township after chanting the slogans saying that they supported the building of Bogyoke Statue and they attended the opening ceremony of Bogyoke statue held in Kanar Haywun Park in Loikaw Township together with about 70 security police members. The ceremony was led by the members of Statue Observence Committee members.
Some Karenni youth leaders banned the pull-off of Bogyoke statue on January 29th and some leaders went to Kayah State Government Committee Office and they met with State Chief Minister who told that the ceremony was led by the Kayah State Planning and Finance Minister. Therefore, the youth leaders met again with the planning and finance minister who also said that Khun Htee, one of the peoples, led the building of Bogyoke Statue and who is also the NLD’s member, says Kyaw Htin Aung, Karenni youth leader.
Although the Union Government had instructed that if there would be those who objected the government’s plan to erect the statue, they will accept the negotiation.
But, the NLD members including Maw Maw, Regional Planning and Finance Minister carried the Bogyoke Statue from the outskirt on January 29th and the vehicles from Social Welfare Associations, NLD members and the Ward Administrators were also accompanied with the Bogyoke statue to be placed at the park meanwhile Karenni youths arrived at the park and then the authorities had undertaken to reinforce its police members’ presence including the youths from Social Organizations and NLD members at the park.
Karenni youths called on the government to abolish “Bogyoke Statue”. If they wanted to erect the statue, a referendum must be held or the statue will be planted at the designated places of NLD concerned area.
The Karenni youths also sent an open letter to President Win Myint for an explanation regarding the cost over Ks110 million for building of statue.
On February 1st, about 70 policemen cracked down on the protest camp being opened by the Karenni youths who protested against the installation of Bogyoke statue at the park For not installing of Bogyoke statue at the park.
So, Police Captain Win Htay of the Township Police Officer charged 20 Karenni youths with Peaceful Assembly Law.
Likewise, nine youths were facing the trials at the courts in five townships because they had distributed the pamphlets describing the real history of Karenni starting from July of 2018 and 13 youths were charged with Peaceful Assembly Law at the Loikaw Township’s court.
