State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and officials from Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) met at Myitkyina on January 9 to discuss peace issues and the return of IDPs, said Dr Hkalam Samson, Chairman of the KBC.

He said, “The State Counsellor urged us to get involved in the peace process as it cannot be done alone.”

The KBC also presented the issue to the State Counsellor for the safe return of IDPs, he said.

“The army needs to accept to sign the bilateral agreement with KIA for the IDPs to return home,” he said.

Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Kyaw Swe, Union Minister for Border Affairs Ye Aung, Union Minister for Union Government Office Min Thu, Union Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Dr Aung Thu, Union Minister for Health and Sports Dr Myint Htwe, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Ohn Win, Union Minister for Labours, Immigration and Population Thein Swe, Kachin State Chief Minister and officials attended the meeting.

He added the visit of State Counsellor to the KBC can build trust more in the peace process.

“It can build trust more as the State Counsellor pays a visit to us. It will be depended on our plans to join hand. As the State Counsellor said Jesus, the religious leader of Christians, has the desire for peace and the Christian organizations can understand peace and we will present the government how to implement to have peace and justice,” he said.

He continued the State Counsellor didn’t say the KBC to induce the KIA/KIO to sign the NCA.

At the present, the government and four members of northern allies including the KIA are in negotiation to sign the bilateral ceasefire agreement and the army clashes frequently with Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Arakan Army (AA), which are the members of northern allies.