Chiang Mai – Despite of many fallen heroes and leaders, the Karen National Union, an ethnic armed rebel group, on Tuesday vowed to continue their struggle for self-determination in the path laid down by martyrs and follow the role model of their leaders.
KNU, one of the longest running insurgents of Burma , reiterated their unwavering stand on the 58th Karen Martyrs' Day ceremony held on Tuesday at a location they called Kawthoolay, or Karen land, along the Thai-Burmese border.
The ceremony was graced by several of the KNU leaders including Saw Tamalabaw, Chairman of the KNU's armed wing - Karen National Liberation Army - Chief-of-Staff Maj. Gen. Mutu Saypho and KNU's Joint- General Secretary (1) Pado David Tharkapaw.
In an interview with Mizzima, Chief of the KNU Information Department, Pado Saw Hla Ngwe, said, though several of their reputed leaders have passed away, the group will remain firm and will continue the struggle.
"We will follow the same line and policy adopted by our leaders. We will keep up their fine tradition to continue our struggle until victory is ours," Pado Saw Hla Ngwe said.
He added that the KNU has suffered loses several times in the past because of traitors that broke away from the group.
"But our revolution will not falter because of these unhealthy trends," he added.
The anniversary ceremony was also attended by KNU's Pa-An district Chairman Pado Ah Toe, the 7th Brigade Commandant Maj. Gen. Thura Jhonny, township level leaders and more than 800 people. About 150 KNU cadres put a show as they paraded during the ceremony.
Following the death of its charismatic leader, Gen Saw Bo Mya, in December 2006, the KNU, which has been fighting Burma 's central government for nearly 60 years, has faced severe internal conflicts.
The signing of ceasefire agreement between Maj Gen Htain Maung, a former leader of the KNU's 7th Brigade, and the Burmese military regime in 2007 is yet another heavy blow to the KNU, which lost its fortified headquarters at Manerplaw inside Burma , to the Burmese army in 1995.
The KNU yet suffered another great lost in early 2008, when another prominent leader, general-secretary of KNU Pado Manh Shar Laphan was assassinated by unknown armed men at his residence in the Thai-Burmese border town of Mae Sod .
The 7th Brigade Organizing Department Chief Saw Tar Doe Muu said the ceremony on Tuesday is to honour the fallen soldiers and leaders, who have perished this year. Several family members and wives of the fallen martyrs were also seen at the ceremony.
"We take pride for the sacrifices of the husbands and sons of these family members and we pledge to continue their unfinished task in the presence of the family members. We vow their sacrifices, their blood and sweat will not be in vain. We will march towards victory in unity. This is our objective and intention of holding this ceremony," he said.
On August 12, 1950, Burmese army killed Saw Ba Oo Gyi, a national leader and father of the Karen movement, at Taw Ko Koe village in Kawkareik Township , Karen State , after arresting him on the frontline.
Since then the Karens have observed the day as a martyr's day to remember and to honor Saw Ba Oo Gyi and other fallen heroes and leaders.
