By Kantarawaddy Times
A unit of the Karenni Nationalities People’s Liberation Front (KNPLF), who recently defected from the Military Council, made a public statement on 1 July against other KNPLF units still working with the regime.
Comrade Lauren Soe, KNPLF joint general secretary, says that the former Border Guard Force is now fighting against the military junta and the units still working with it are its enemies.
A few hours after the initial statement, KNPLF Vice- Chairman Htoo Kaw issued his own statement saying that Lauren Soe’s views do not apply to all units in the group and that they will continue to work with the Military Council.
Lauren Soe noted, “If he continues to work with the military junta, he will become the enemy of the people and therefore our enemy.” Members of the KNPLF have been killed and injured in clashes with the junta since the coup, he stressed.
An officer of the recently formed Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) said, “We welcome the armed organisations opposing the Military Council” and support the statement by Lauren Soe.
The KNPLF joint general secretary said, “We will fight against the military junta until the military dictatorship falls. Our policy is clear and unequivocal.”
The Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), the Demoso People’s Defence Force and the Karenni Revolution Union released their respective statements on 1 July welcoming the KNPLF and expressing their willingness to work together in the common struggle against the dictatorship.
Supported by the KNDF and other armed groups, KNPLF units fighting the junta seized at least four of its camps in southern Karenni State last month.
