On February 1 2021, all pathways to progress, freedom and development for the people of Myanmar were suddenly blocked. The Burmese military staged the coup that toppled the civilian government on that day. Since the coup, people from all walks of life who want to protect the democratic rights and freedom have organised anti- junta protests.
In Kachin State, people from 18 townships actively cooperated in anti-dictatorship activities. Even the people of the remote towns of Kawnglanghpu and Chipwi have consistently participated in the protests. In the ‘22222 national strike’ held on February 22, 2021, hundreds of thousands of people from all over Kachin State marched vigorously to protest the coup.
However, Kachin people’s mass protests against the military dictatorship began to wane after the military brutally cracked down on the peaceful rallies. The junta arrested many protestors, others were gunned down.
When the military council issued orders for mass arrests and shooting to kill , organizers were forced to change tactics in Kachin State by resorting to sporadic strikes in some towns and villages. However many people could not bear anymore the brutal oppression of peaceful protest, which prompted them to search for another stage of revolution: armed self-defense in their struggle for democracy and freedom.
Dreaming and hoping for a better future, young people took the momentous and tough decision to travel to liberated zones, and engage in military training with the battle-seasoned KIA (Kachin Independence Army) guerilla army. Now they are still in the jungle and struggling to win victory for the federal democratic revolution.
But with the revolutionary process now lasting 18 months , some people from Kachin State who had previously participated actively in the opposition to the military dictatorship, have lapsed from active passion against the regime, to become more quiescent.
Is there a growing return to “normal life” in Myitkyina ?
In some towns and villages, regular activities including funfairs resurfaced again, especially in Myitkyina, the capital of the Kachin State. The noticeable changes have taken place in Myitkyina, with people again going to bars again, having fun, and moving around, as if everything had returned to normal.
U Aung Hein Min, Pyithu Hluttaw the former NLD representative for Hpakant, who escaped the military round- up of parliamentarians on the day of the coup, told MNJ “Kachin State had faced a great crises due to the covid outbreak and the coup, so it is understandable that people need relief and to be happy, but the public also need to keep their political focus, and cooperate with the revolution.”
Since the coup the former parliamentarian is now working for NUG as a member of the Ministry of Defense. He added that “The people couldn’t be blamed for wanting to enjoy a normal life, but they should also remember that those who are in the jungles may also desire the same kind of life. They put the fight against the military dictatorship as their priority now, and endure a hard life. In fact they want to be happy just like the others” Aung Hein Min the ex- parliamentarian is now working for NUG as a member of the Ministry of Defense. He warned the public “ to be aware that this appearance of life being back to normal suits the Military Council very well, and urged Kachin people to have empathy for their comrades in the jungle.”
A schoolteacher from Myitkyina told Myitkyina News Journal that she would not lose heart when she saw people enjoying funfair activities, but would continue to join CDM until the end. “The scenes from Myitkyina are the most disappointing. Many are acting like everything is normal. Some don't even remember the revolution anymore. Whatever they think , I will not change my commitment. I will continue to do the duty that I have to do until the end. If they think their actions are right, then it is their way”.
The teacher also said that although she is currently making a living as a vendor and facing difficulties, but she commented “ I will never change my revolutionary determination.”
The revolutionary movements in Myitkyina have calmed down compared to the past, but the Kachin State Civilian Movement (KSCM) group is still organizing sporadic protests in the region. A young member of KCSM urged the Myitkyina residents participating in fun activities “ not to turn a blind eye to the situation in the country, and to contribute to the revolution in any way they can.”
The former Hkapant MP also reflected that “When our real supporters in the capital are having fun, they are celebrating quietly behind the scenes. If we want to have sympathy for our comrades, we must reduce the fun activities as much as possible in front of the public. Only then we can avoid the situation that the Military Council from exploiting the situation. When the revolution takes such a long time, the morale of some comrades flags. but they support each other to continue the journey. “
According to the Myitkyina News Journal's inquiry, some townships and villages in Kachin State are still being raided by the Military Council troops. Nowadays, the Military Council troops are burning down residential houses in many villages in Sagaing Region. Sagaing Region has become the main battlefield of Myanmar. The The National Unity Government (NUG) is now able to announce that it has control of 50 percent of the country's territory, due to the collective struggle of EAOs (ethnic armed forces) and the post- coup youth movement.
NUG said that a one-year plan was drawn up to open 6 fronts, and launch an offensive against the Military
Council.
It believes that the next year will be a decisive period for the revolution. For the revolution to succeed as quickly
as possible, the people's cooperation and support is the most important thing. NUG calls the public to aid the revolutionary forces by all means in strategic ways. NUG also urges the people to struggle together for the final battle in the decisive year of the revolution.
