Local and foreign journalists study development of Southern Command area in Bago Division, troubles of local
people caused by racism, power struggles and bullying of KNU insurgents, terrorist acts such as massacres, torching and mine blasts committed by KNU

YANGON, 14 May — Chairman of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, together with journalists, on 13 May went on study tour to witness measures taken for ensuring security and the rule of law and all-round developments in Htantabin Township and Thabyenyunt Village on eastern side of Sittoung River and Mone region of Kyaukkyi Township in Bago Division of Southern Command as well as troubles of residential people caused by racism, power struggle and bullying among KNU insurgents and terrorist acts such as massacres,setting of fire and planting of mines by KNU.

Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Ambassador of the Republic of Philippines Madame Phoebe A Gomez, Charge d’Affaires ai of the German Embassy Dr Dirk Augustin and members, Assistant Resident Representative Si Canka Dhanapala of UNHCR Office, Project Officer Jean Benoit Manhez and party of UNICEF, member correspondents of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club and editorial staff of local and foreign magazines and journals were in the study group.

The journalists left Toungoo in the morning. After viewing rural development of Htantabin Township, they arrived in Thabyenyunt Village of Thandaung Township at 8.30 am.

At the hall of Basic Education High School (Branch) in Thabyenyunt Village, the first session of the second-day study tour in Bago Division of Southern Command area was held. Also present on the occasion were the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and diplomats, officials of UN agencies, senior military officers of Southern Command Headquarters, those who returned to the legal fold from KNU Brigade- 2, local people subject to bullying and to rture of KNU insurgents, town-selders and local national people.

Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan explained measures being taken for ensuring security and the rule of law and all-round developments in Southern Command as well as troubles of residential people caused by racism, power struggles and bullying among KNU insurgents and terrorist acts such as massacres, setting of fire and planting of mines by KNUs.

(The clarifications of the minister are reported separately.)

Journalists raised questions on bullying and terrorist acts such as massacres, setting of fire and planting of mines committed by KNU insurgents. Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan, officials, local people and members of KNU Brigad-2 who returned to the legal fold replied to the questions.

Next, the group of excursion tour members visited and viewed progress of Thabyenyunt Village.

Afterwards, the minister and party proceeded to Mone of Kyaukkyi Township, Bago Division, in the afternoon.

At the hall in Mone, the second session of the briefing followed. It was attended by townselders, members of social organizations and the local people who suffered from destructive acts caused by KNU.

Medical Superintendent Dr Maung Maung Khin of Mone Station Hospital explained sabotage acts of KNU to harm the lives of the people by planting land mines in busy places, disabled the people, and providing medical treatments and social assistance of the Government.

Next, U Myat Kyaw of Mwaydaw Village, U Tun Naing of Ward 4 of Mone, U Htay and U Myint Kyaw of Kyaungpya Village and U Maung Chit of Khongyi Village explained difficulties of local people in their region due to massacres, planting of mines, setting of fire and atrocities of KNU, those who fled their homes due to dangers of KNU, and losses of lives and limbs of the people.

Later, officials answered the queries raised by local and foreign journalists. Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan gave a supplementary clarification.

The minister, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and members and journalists arrived at Mone Station Hospital.

Medical Superintendent Dr Maung Maung Khin and health staff welcomed them.

They comforted those, who lost their limbs due to mine blasts of KNU, under medical treatment. The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Philippine Ambassador also comforted the patients individually. The journalists met the mine-victims and studied their injuries.

The minister, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Philippine Ambassador, the Charge d’Affaires ai of the Germany Ambassador and party, officials of UNHCR and UNICEF, journalists and media personnel presented their cash donations amounting to K 101,300 to Medical Superintendent Dr Maung Maung Khin.

They left the hospital and arrived back here in the evening.