The military council admitted that it opened fire on a Chinese Red Cross convoy transporting earthquake relief supplies near Nawnghkio town in northern Shan State.
A Chinese Red Cross convoy crossing the border to provide relief and assistance was fired upon near the town of Nawnghkio while thousands of people were affected by the devastating earthquake.
Regarding the shooting, Major General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the military council, explained: “On 1 April, at around 9:30 p.m., a convoy of around nine vehicles was seen heading toward Nawnghkio. A military security force was stationed near Ummati village and halted the convoy. We attempted to stop them by signaling with lights from about 100 to 200 meters away. When the convoy did not stop, we fired three warning shots into the air from around 100 meters. The convoy then turned back toward Nawnghkio.”
A spokesman for the military council stated that the Chinese Red Cross convoy was fired upon because they did not request prior permission.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) reported that a convoy of nine vehicles carrying relief supplies from the Chinese Red Cross Society for earthquake victims in Myanmar was en route to Mandalay when the military council opened fire near Ummati village, Nawnghkio Township.
Major General Zaw Min Tun stated that if international organizations are entering Myanmar for earthquake relief, they must notify the relevant authorities in advance and request security assistance.
Spokesperson Zaw Min Tun stated on 2 April that warning shots were fired into the air when the Chinese Red Cross convoy, carrying relief supplies for earthquake victims, entered without prior permission.
The TNLA said in a statement that the Chinese convoy had informed the military council of its plan to travel to Mandalay, but was forced to turn back to Nawnghkio after being fired upon.
In the photo released by the TNLA, the Red Cross symbol on a red signboard in front of the Chinese Red Cross convoy displayed the words “Earthquake Relief Supplies for Myanmar quake victim” in both Chinese and Myanmar languages.
The military council also announced that there were no casualties resulting from the shooting of the Chinese Red Cross convoy.
Sent by NMG