The leaders of the Pa-O and Karenni ethnic groups have issued warnings against any attempts to incite ethnic or religious conflict between the two groups, particularly in the context of the massacre that occurred in Nam Nein Village, Pinlaung Township.
On March 11, the Military Council troops killed 3 monks and over 25 residents in Nam Nein village, Pinlaung township, Shan state that has now become classified one of many documented war crimes committed by the Junta, since their coup in 2021.
However on military -controlled state media has claimed that it the massacre was carried out
by “Karenni terrorists”. Leaders from the Pa-O and Karenni communities have warned against this propaganda that falsely implicates the Karenni revolutionary forces in the incident, which is part of the regime’s tactic to stir up and incite ethnic divisions.
On March 13, General Zaw Min Tun disseminated propaganda through Military Council-owned newspapers and television, alleging that the heinous slaughter of monks and civilians in Nam Nein village was perpetrated by Karenni armed organizations.
Khun Myint Tun, the Chairman of the Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC), urged the public not to be swayed by the Military Council’s propaganda and to maintain the familial ties between the Karenni and Pa-O ethnic groups.
“I would like to appeal to both the Pa-O people and the Karenni people to not believe the lies and propaganda of the Military Council. I would like to say that we need to keep the family spirit between Karenni and Pa-O without breaking it," Khun Myint Tun said.
Karenni State Consultative Council-KSCC Chairman U Aung San Myint said, “After the killing of innocent people and Buddhist monks by the terrorist group in Nam Nein, the issue of the alleged killing by Karenni armed forces has caused misunderstandings between our ethnic groups and may lead to ethnic conflict. It is very important and directly related to our brothers Karenni and Pao ethnic groups.”
According to U Aung San Myint, the Karenni and Pa-O ethnic groups have maintained a strong bond of friendship since ancient times, which cannot be shattered by the Military Council's propaganda. He emphasized that they will not resort to making false accusations against each
other, and will continue to work together until the perpetrators can be punished.
Khun Myint Tun said, “ Just like the Military Council is creating ethnic conflicts and religiousconflicts, it is creating conflicts between different groups from the same ethnic group.”
He remarked that the Military Council is employing the same tactics as before, seeking to foment discord among different ethnic groups and even sow divisions within the same ethnic community, based on religion and ethnicity.
