Ethnic Shan group calls for meeting with KIA over forced recruits

Ethnic Shan group calls for meeting with KIA over forced recruits

Published on Saturday, 04 January 2014 15:51

Ethnic Shans gathering at Wuntho monastery in Myitkyina, Kachin State to protest against KIA (Photo – Htun Linn Aung/EMG)

Shan Ethnic Affairs Organization (SEAO) has requested Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) to help arrange a meeting with Kachin Independence Army (KIA) over its recruitment of ethnic Shans into the Kachin forces, says a member of SEAO.

"We have asked MPC to raise the issue of recruitment of Shan by the KIA. In my opinion, this can only be done through MPC. KIA on their part has made no reply so far. We have reached out to the KIA  since 30 December. We believed that this problem can be success by means of discussion rather than holding mass rally", said San Wai.

SEAO has asked permission to hold public protest in front of the KIA advisory office in Myitkyina on 20 December but the Government declined the request.

If we have a chance to hold discussion, we would like to emphasize on the recruitment of Shan soldiers. We want to talk not only about Shan ethnics but also Kachin who were recruited and forced to live separately away from their families, he added.

Concerning that matter, Hla Maung Shwe from MPC said KIA they can hold discussion by themselves. But, as the MPC, they are to help everyone within the legal frame to confer their opinions.

According to the data collected by the Government, KIA armed group arrested 26 locals in Mansi Township in Kachin State on 7, 8, and 13 December, 2013. On 17 December, 22 Shan have been released after having been recruited.

http://www.information.myanmaronlinecentre.com/ethnic-shan-group-calls-for-meeting-with-kia-over-forced-recruits/