An interview with Ko Chit Win Maung, an official of the Magway Public Strike Committee
November 29, 2022
The public revolution in Magway Region has entered nearly two years. The military is constantly committing atrocities such as the severest oppression against the locals in Magway Region, the burning of houses and mass killings.
The Than Lwin Times interviewed Ko Chit Win Maung, an official of Magway People’s Strike Committee about the situations during 22 months of the coup in Magway Region and the army’s continued oppression against the public.
Q: First of all, May I know the latest situations in Magway Region following the coup?
A: Like the people in other regions and states, the people in Magway Region have lost their political independence and are experiencing the worst days. The region is devoid of their basic rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of speech. The public’s livelihood difficulties have become worse. Tension is rising in Pakokku and Gangaw Districts in Magway Region which shares borders with Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region and Chin State. There are frequent clashes between the terrorist military troops and the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) in those areas. We are constantly hearing the news about the military’s destruction of public properties, the arrests and killings of people and the burning of entire villages for no apparent reason. The people who peacefully and honestly live their lives are experiencing different kinds of plights. Magway Region sees the highest military tension. Our comrades are occasionally carrying out military activities in other towns in Magway Region based on the situations. We can hear and read the news about it. Magway Region is a key area for the army. It is adjacent to Nay Pyi Taw. The region is said to be the place where the Defense Industries are located most. In addition, air bases are located in Magway Region. Under these circumstances, our comrades involved in the armed resistance in Magway Region have to cautiously carry out their military activities.
Q: May I know your view on the military council’s attempt to hold the election in Magway Region which sees intense fighting?
A: Now our country faces the most tragic period. Military tension is growing in every place. Election is a democratic principle in which the entire people in the country select their reliable political parties and persons and assign the public duties to them. It is a step towards democracy. However,
The election planned by the military dictators who are on the opposite side of democracy is not a process which will march towards democracy. This is just the military’s deception. This is just a move aimed only for the military’s interest. This move aims to continue to hold on to power, control and oppress the public. The public shall not agree to any movements and acts done by the army. Since the coup, we have decisively been engaging in the armed resistance against the army. It is known to all. The public and international community should not agree to the military dictatorship and the election to be held by the military dictators. We want the public to know the fact that they should not participate in it. I would like to call on the public to continue to march towards the federal democracy country devoid of military dictatorship, which is the aim of the Spring Revolution.
Q: How does the military continue to commit atrocities in Magway Region? Which forms of violence are mainly found?
A: There are atrocities in Magway Region. I would like to give examples about the publicly-known incidents such as the incident in which the army arrested and tortured underage children in Magway Region for alleged involvement in the revolution. There are a lot of human rights violations such as the rape and killings of women, even the killings of the elderly and children. They also burn and destroy civilian houses constantly. Such atrocities continue there.
Q: How do you respond to the army’s violence against the public?
A: Violence is totally unacceptable. Now, the people are experiencing the hot weather and the junta’s oppressions. So, we need to halt the army’s violence. There is the only way to stop violence. This violence is originated from the military dictatorship. This violence will come to an end only when we can stop the military dictatorship. Except for the revolution, there is no other option for the complete disappearance of military dictatorship. We have no other option except revolution. I would like to call on the public to adhere to the revolution. We need to march towards the destination of the Spring Revolution we long for.
Q: Are there still community-based movements in Magway Region? How are these movements made?
A: There are the comrades who are engaging in armed struggle in Magway Region. Other revolutionary forces and groups are participating in other movements. Like our Magway public strike committee, there are other public groups who lead and initiate public movements. For instance, there are Pakokku People’s Strike Committee, Yaw People’s Strike Committee, Basic Education Strike Committee-Myaing. More public strike movements are found in some areas where our comrades have controlled. However, strikes and movements are also found in other towns and villages based on the situations. The public’s cooperation and participation in our movements are also found, especially, in nationwide strikes. It is especially heartening to see the mass participation of the public in silent strikes and the public oath-taking movement in Magway Region. We always thank, respect and salute the public. We still need a lot of support and strength from the public. There are other options except revolution. The public itself is a determinant for the revolution. So, I would like to request the public to continue to cooperate in the revolution.
Q: It is found that the military is constantly carrying out the burning of houses and mass killings in Magway Region. May I know your comment about it?
A: The army is committing arsons, arrests and killings in Magway Region constantly. The number of villages where the people are displaced has increased in recent days. There are a lot of the regions where the people have to flee to safer places due to the junta’s arsons. We found the junta’s nature of destroying the forces which enfeeble its strength and the areas which show opposition to the junta’s administration and decisively revolutionize the junta. It is found that the military is constantly committing crimes such as arson, arrests and killings of resistance fighters and the public. The more the army oppresses us, the stronger we become. We continue to survive. The stronger we become, the more the military commits arrests, killings and arsons. Our revolutionary conviction will be stronger. So we are together with the public. We shall march till the end of our revolution.
Q: Do you have anything to add to the current situations in Magway Region?
A: I would like to show respect to all resistance fighters and revolutionary organizations in Magway Region. Like other regions and states, the people in Magway Region shall make a lot of efforts. I would like to request our comrades to have better grouping and further strengthen unity. We are also striving for it. I would like to call on the public in Magway Region to cooperate in the activities of our revolutionary forces. I would like to request the public to increase their cooperation and provide aid for our comrades in Magway Region as our revolution in the region is aimed not only for Magway Region but also for the federal democracy in the whole country.
Sent by Than Lwin Times