Ceremony Changed Title After Authorities Ban the Use of ‘Karenni National Resistance Day’

The Karenni (Kayah) State Minister of Security and Border Affairs met with the ceremony coordinators and asked them to use a different title.

The ceremony was only allowed to use the title ‘multi-organization prayer service’ when it was held at Mya Le, also known as Man Lar, Village of Demoso Township.

“We have original planned to hold the 70th Karenni National Resistance Day ceremony, as stated in the invitation letters to the public. We planned to use the words in the archway, but the state government, especially the Security and Border Affairs, the Tatmadaw, summoned us and pressured us to use a different title,” the ceremony coordination committee’s chair U Chit Tun told the media at the end of the ceremony.

He explained that the title ‘Karenni National Resistance Day’ was used due to the history and the ceremony did not include anything that can make the country and the state suffer.

“No matter what organization, party, or government, they should negotiate with the public and consult us in such kind of situations where they cooperate with the public. It’s not good to restrict us with letters or threaten us from far away,” U Chit Tun continued.

A local youth who attended the ceremony said he did not know the reason why the title was changed but he felt sad about it.

“I thought I would see the Karenni Resistance Day ceremony, but when I felt something when I arrived here. I feel sad. It’s questionable why we are not allowed to use the words,” he said.

This was the first time local organizations in the Karenni State gathered to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Karenni National Resistance Day. Leaders of ethnic armed organizations, various ethnic people from the Karenni State, respective civil society organizations, and local residents attended the ceremony.