An interview with U Nay Phone Latt, Spokesperson of the NUG
On 11 April, the military council’s airstrike killed 163 people including women and children in Pazigyi village in Kanbalu Township of Sagaing Region. As a result, over 300 locals have fled to safer places, according to the detailed statement released by the National Unity Government (NUG) on 16 April.
The Karen Information Center (KIC) interviewed U Nay Phone Latt, Spokesperson of the NUG about the NUG’s response, view on the military council’s act and the message to the public.
Q: May I know the NUG’s review on the military council’s airstrike in Pazigyi village of Kanbalu Township?
A: As per the NUG’s statement, an airstrike took place at the public gathering. It may be a donation ceremony. The sure point is the army conducted an airstrike when the public was gathering. In my view, the army conducted the airstrike as it got information about the public gathering.
Q: How does the NUG provide aid for those who survived the deadly airstrike in Pazigyi village?
A: The Health Minister under the NUG has sent the medical teams to the incident for the collection and cremation of the dead bodies and is constantly providing medical treatment to them. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation is constantly working to provide aid for the bereaved families.
Q: According to the news released by the military council, the place where the attack took place is the site of the NUG office. Is this news true? Which message do you want to convey to the people about widespread criticism over the NUG about the airstrike?
A: I don’t want to blame the victims rather than those who committed the massacre. How the public gathers, the sure point is the army massacred them on purpose despite knowing the gathering of the public, women and children. They are civilians. They are not military targets. This is not a training ground. They are not PDF members. The military council conducted a targeted attack on them.
Q: Why does the military council commit such a brutal crime against civilians?
A: The military council has known of the public’s participation in the revolution. It carried out a targeted attack on the civilians in order to instill fear on the public. The military council has been carrying out brutal killings of monks, children, women, the elderly and the people living with disabilities. The main reason is the army wants to instill fear in the public and cut the public’s connection with the revolution. Another point is the army carries out targeted attacks on the civilians who cannot fight back when it cannot compete with the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) in fighting capability. It is said to be a very cowardly act. It bears witness to the fact that the army faces loss in terms of military and is not in a position to compete with the PDFs.
Q: Which message does the NUG want to convey to the public about the military council’s increasing human rights violations and massacres.
A: The public is required to be vigilant. The military can carry out airstrikes at any time.
Even if we cannot install the world-class airstrike warning system, we need to think about other alternatives. The main point is the public should remain vigilant. The public needs to dig bomb shelters. It is crucial for the public to hide in the bomb shelters when they hear the sounds of flights. It will be wrong if the people think the army will do nothing. The army shows its hostility towards any persons as the army cannot find its exit. The public needs to be vigilant by keeping the fact that the army may kill the public, in their minds.
Sent by Nant Hsan Htee (KIC)