State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi has urged Karenni youths to solve ongoing problems in Kayah State through negotiation, not through protests. 

She made the remark in a meeting with the Karenni youths on the sidelines of her attendance at the celebration of the 68th Anniversary of Kayah State Day on January 15. 

"Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urged the young people and civil society organizations to solve any problem through negotiation, not through protests. Protest is not a solution. She also said despite over 30 years of its establishment, NLD (National League for Democracy) has not used the way of protest. But I think this could mislead the young people like us about our thoughts and ideas," said one Karenni youth, Khun Myo Hlaing Win, who attended the meeting. 

During the meeting, two Karenni farmer representatives and five Karenni youth representatives requested the State Counsellor to intervene with the issue of General Aung San's statue. But she refused to do so, saying that it is not appropriate for her as a family member to intervene, Khun Myo Hlaing Win said. 

"What we think is that this issue should be addressed regardless of personal affairs or family affairs. This is the biggest issue in our state. As it is an issue of the entire Karenni people, shifting responsibility to the union government is a cause of concern for us," he commented. 

In meeting with the State Counsellor, the Karenni youths presented ongoing issues in Kayah State such as problems related to General Aung San's statue and lawsuits against local farmers. However, just 20 minutes of meeting was not enough for them to make all-round discussion, said another Karenni youth Khu Ri Du. 

Those Karenni youth forces used to help Aung San Suu Kyi with her security and local language difficulties during her trips to the state for election campaigns before the 2015 general election.