Kachin activists have alleged that the Burmese military junta was being malicious by taking control of the recently concluded Kachin Cultural Manau Festival marking the 63rdanniversary of Kachin State day in Northern Burma. The festival was held under stringent security and completely controlled by the junta, the activists added.

The 2011 Kachin traditional Manau Festival was celebrated from January 7 to 11. There was a distinct lack of interest among Kachin people, who were unhappy after the junta monitored the festival, significant for ethnic Kachins, they added.

“The ambience of the festival changed given the tight security with iron wire fencing, putting in place check points manned by a lot of soldiers and the police with guns, which  scared people,” said Tsaji general secretary of the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG).

Since last year, the regime has been interfering in the festival celebrations as it wanted to pressurize the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) to transform its armed wing to the Border Guard Force (BGF) under Burmese Army control, it is alleged. 

The KIO rejected the junta’s proposal in September last year.

Tsaji, who has been observing the event said, the number of participants at the festival fell significantly compared to earlier years after the military, which does not understand culture, took control.

“People felt it was no longer their festival given the tight security and checking, which made them uncomfortable. So many avoided the festival,” said Tsaji.

“It was not fun anymore but more of a scare,” he added.

During last year’s festival the junta monitored publishing of the Manau daily news paper. It did not allow it to be printed only in the Kachin language as earlier but forced the committee to print it in the Burmese language as well.

The tight security and monitoring of the activities were done by specially appointed officials at the behest of Naypyitaw capital of the military government.

“Manau means a lot to us and it is the symbol of our cultural heritage characterizing our unity. So it is a really important celebration for Kachin people,” said a Manau Cultural Committee member.

“I did not see many people like previous years and it seemed like an 80 per cent decrease compared to last year,” said a Manau Acting Committee member.

The junta probably monitored the festival to control the Kachin community and its biggest cultural heritage as part of its policy of ethnic cleansing, said Tsaji.

“They (Burma’s military rulers) are aware of the importance and significance of the Manau festival because it brings together in one place different communities, tribes and religious members from among Kachin people. So the regime wants to control it,” Tsaji added.  

Pressure has been mounted on Kachin people after the KIO rejected the BGF proposal. The Burmese regime broke the 16-year old ceasefire and closed down all KIO liaison offices across the country. It also closed all border trade check points which were controlled by the armed group.

There is palpable tension between the junta and the KIO and the Burmese military government is reinforcing troops and dispatching weapons to Kachin State.