By Kantarawaddy Times
After the regime deploys fresh troops to seize areas of Karenni State controlled by resistance forces, the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the political wing of the Karenni Army, invites the soldiers to turn their backs on the dictatorship and support the people by joining the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM).
“They can just abandon the Burma army and join us,” said Khu Taw Reh, leader of the CDM Management Committee. If they do, we need to protect them and help them with their food, he says.
“They are worried if they’ll have a job to earn income but the whole country is facing hardships during this time of crisis. No one is exempt from this, including me. They need to understand this, but also that they won’t starve,” he said.
Khu Taw Reh said they’ve helped others who were brave enough to cross the line and go against the cruel dictatorship. Former soldiers who joined the CDM helped establish the management committee in mid-2022 to assist others.
One 22-year-old explained the troubles he faced as a soldier for two years before finally deserting. “It’s like we were always waiting for the day when we were going to die. Of course we didn’t know when this would happen but I was starved and insulted all the time. We had to take security for the whole day and work very hard.”
Khu Taw Reh explained that when junta soldiers come to them, they must stay in a designated place at first. After, they try to find them a job so they can earn a living.
“We do not force them to fight against the Burma army.”
The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force also welcomes their enemy to join the CDM and the armed group that was born after the coup formed the Karenni State People’s Embrace Project to assist Burma army soldiers transition back to civilian life.
