February 2nd, 2022
Within one year since the coup on February 1st, there is only 10 percent of the administrative mechanism of the military council left in Hpapun District, according to the Brigade-5 under the Karen National Union (KNU).
“It can be said that there is only around 10 percent of administrative bodies left in downtown wards. Although the authorities have appointed many health and education staff along Hpapun-Kamamaung- Katihti road,” Col Saw Htoo Ka Shaw, the tactical commander of the KNU’s Brigade-5 told the KIC.
The levels of obedience among the soldiers of the military council in Hpapun District have declined. The military council has lost many military outposts. At least 500 soldiers of the military council defected to the KNU-Brigade-5. Some soldiers on the frontline do not abide by the orders.
The battalion commander doesn’t abide by the order of the tactical operations commander. The tactical operations commander doesn’t abide by the order of the division commander. The division commander doesn’t abide by the order of the commander of the military command.
The military officials from the different levels don’t report the actual number of casualties. Some military officers don’t follow the directives from above,” Col Saw Htoo Ka Shaw continued.
The KNU’s Brigade-5 issued a warning letter on January 29th, calling on the civil servants to leave Hpapun Township in Mutraw (Hpapun) District within ten days since February 1st and the resident staff to abstain from performing their duties. The KNU also warned that it would take stern action against those who fail to leave the area within the designated period.
Following the KNU’s statement, the tactical operations commander summoned the civil servants in Hpapun Township and warned them not to leave the town. Security is tightened at all routes, according to locals.
The issuance of that warning letter is aimed at taking revenge on the military council’s efforts to destroy the KNU’s administrative mechanism. Now is the best time for those who do not want to perform their duties under the military rule and to ensure the collapse of the military council’s mechanism. The KNU plans to help those who want to leave their work as much as it can although the military council has tightened security.
Hpapun District in Karen State was separated from Hpa-An District in 2011. Hpapun District was formed with one township and one sub-township. Hpapun District was reformed with Hpapun Township, Hpapun and Kamamaung towns after the abolishing of sub-township in 2014-2015.
Sent by the KIC.