NarinjaraNews, March 15, 2023

According to local residents, civil society organizations inthe area are planning to file a lawsuit regarding the case of 30 individuals including 3 monks, whowere reportedly killed by the Military Counciltroops in Nam Nein Village of Pinlaung Township, located in the Shan State.

U Banyar, Director of the Karenni Human Rights Group, toldthe Narinjara news agency, “Wecannot allow these killings to continue. We are reaching out to civil societyorganizations in Shan State and following the UN process to ensure that thismatter is properly prosecuted on an international level. Our focus is on achievingaccountability and responsibility, as well as preventing similar atrocities from occurring in the future and ensuringthat those responsible are held accountable.”

According to KNDF, on March 10, the Military Council troopsinitiated an offensive operation on NamNein village. On March 11 at 5:00 a.m., airstrikes were launched. Fearing fortheir safety, residents sought refuge in the Nam Neinvillage monastery.

The Military Council troops entered the monastery forced those seeking refugeto line up outside the monastery and deployed the methods of a firing squad, to shoot all 30residents, including the  three monks.

U Aung Myo Min, the Human Rights Minister of the NationalUnity Government (NUG), told Narinjarathat these incidents constitute a flagrant violation of human rights and warcrimes, and are being reported in a timely manner to the United Nationsand the international court.

“Weare endeavoring to take action against the dictatorship and military officialswho are violating human rights,and committing various crimes under international law. Whether actingindividually or as a coalition, weare tirelessly working to bring them to justice in a timely manner. We are unwavering in our efforts and worktowards this goal every day,”he said.

KNDF asserted “We will work closely with civil organizations from Shan Stateand Kayah State to ensure that theperpetrators of this heinous act are brought to justice in internationalcourts. This is a mass war crimeagainst humanity.”

According to KNDF’s statement, on the evening of March 11, when troops from theMilitary Council entered thevillage and committed killings, Karenni armed groups such as KNDF, PDF, and KA were in the vicinity. However, theywere unable to intervene due to their insufficient strength to enter the village. The KNDF said thatthey were only able to access the village on the morning of March 12 and discovered the deceasedbodies inside the monastery.

As a response to the Military Council troops’ actions, the KNDF, KA,South Shan PDF, PDF Pekon, PDF Mobye, and DMO PDF (who arrived to provide assistance) are reported to beengaging in counterattacks.

Khu Nye Reh, an officer of the Karenni Military InformationCenter, has stated that, based on

reports from the front lines, there is currently a highstate of tension between the Military Council troops, and regional revolutionary armed forces in the area.

“ Ourcomrades and the troops of the Military Council keep fighting on the easternside of Pekon at the Shan-Kayahborder, following the events in Pinlaung. Pinlaung is situated in southern Shan State, which is just an hour’s drive away from the Kayahborder,” he stated.

On December 24, 2021, troops from the Military Councilcarried out a brutal attack similar to the

one that occurred in Nam Nein Village, Pinlaung Township.This time, the incident took place in

Moso Village, Hpruso Township, Kayah (Karenni) State, andresulted in the merciless killing of 49 individuals,among them two members of Save the Children, as well as women and children.

On March 2, Military Council troops carried out a brutalmassacre in Tartaing Village, Myinmu

Township, Sagaing Region, resulting in the merciless killingof 17 local villagers. According to residentsand civil organizations, this type of incident is becoming an all too commonoccurrence

under the rule of the Military Council.