Kachin mark 54th anniversary of uprising

The KIO Chairman Lanyaw Zawng Hra's speech was highlighted by Rev. Dr. Maran Ja Gun, former dean of the Kachin Theologicak College (KTC)

Ethnic Kachin people in northern Burma and around the world marked the 54th anniversary of the beginning of the Kachin uprising on February 5th.

Events were held at the Kachin Independence Organization's (KIO) Laiza headquarters where senior officials including KIO chairman Lanyaw Zawng Hra read speeches. A celebratory message from Lanyaw Zawng Hra was also read out at a Kachin church on the outskirts of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Related events were also held by exiled Kachin living in the US, UK and Australia.

Lanyaw Zawng Hra's speech noted that Burma's government was not paying proper attention to ethnic people's concerns. The veteran KIO leader called for an honest dialogue with the government. His speech also urged all Kachin to label identify themselves as Kachin during the upcoming census instead of labelling themselves by their respective Kachin subgroup.

During the event in Chiang Mai Reverend Dr. Maran Ja Gun, former dean of the Kachin Theological College (KTC) addressed the large audience. He was followed by his elder brother Dr. Maran La Raw who reminded the audience about the 1947 Panglong agreement. Signed by General Aung San and representatives from the Kachin, Shan and Chin communities in February 1947, the Panglong agreement promised these groups a fair amount of autonomy over their own affairs in exchange for their support for Burma’s independence. But when Aung San died months later dream of the Panglong largely died him. Instead of implementing the agreement Aung San's successor U Nu made Buddhism Burma's national religion in 1961, a move that helped fuell the KIO's creation.

The event in Chiang Mai was attended by many KIO veterans who were allied with the slain KIO founder Zau Seng. A lot of the veterans came from Ban Mai village located some two hours away in Chiang Dao district. Also attending the event in Chiang Mai were several prominent KIO leaders including KIO vice-president Lt-Gen Nban La, Brig-Gen Lum Hkawng, Col. Ji Naw and James Lum Dau.

Kachin youth in Myitkyina also held an anniversary event at the Manau park in which they sang the Kachin national anthem.