“The conference was held to review the conditions of our current ceasefire with the government and to put our troops on alert because of unusual military activity," said KNPP chairman Able Twee.

The Burma military has failed to fulfill certain elements of the bilateral ceasefire, including an agreement to withdraw its forces from KNPP areas Twee said. KNPP wants the government‘s Frontline 55 light infantry division 55, which has seven battalions operating in Karenni State, to withdraw. The government claims the troops are for the protection of a new highway that is being constructed from Mawchi to Karen state. But KNPP central committee member Maj-Gen. Aung  Myart told the Kantarawaddy Times that  the numbers don’t add up – there are more soldiers than required for this task. The road will also make it easier to transport troops from Naypyidaw through Karen and Karenni states, the maj.gen. said.

 Additional red flags include reports of land confiscation by government forces and a particularly defiant move by Nyapyidaw of extending military training academies into KNPP territory. The No 14 military training school  is being built in Marproshay area in Pruhso Township. Residents have reported that about 2,700 acres of land was confiscated for the academy, according to the Kantarawaddy Times.   

“As government forces continually ignore these agreement points, it becomes necessary for us to make sure our troops have their guard up," Mr. Twee continued.

The KNPP signed ceasefire with the government forces in March 2012. Before that a ceasefire was signed in 1995.