Execution Of 25 Myanmar Military Regime's Spies, General Commander Of Karen Armed Group Fired

Major General Nerdah Bo Mya. (Source: karennews.org)

JAKARTA - Myanmar's longest-serving revolutionary group, the Karen National Union (KNU), has sacked Major General Saw Nerdah Bo Mya as head of the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO), over the killing of 25 people, suspected of spying for the Myanmar military regime, in May last year.

There were violent clashes between KNDO and Myanmar military regime forces at Waw Lay in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, near the border with Thailand, from May 31 to early June last year.

KNDO was one of the first groups to fight the junta, following the regime's indiscriminate killing of unarmed civilians and peaceful protesters following the February 1 coup.

During the fighting on May 31, the KNDO detained 47 people, including 31 men, six women, and 10 children, from the bridge construction site. The six men along with all the women and children were released on June 9. However, 25 men aged between 18 and 52 were later found dead, citing The Irrawaddy Jan. 20.

General Saw Nerdah Mya said the victims were not civilians, but personnel from infantry and engineering units, who were sent to gather intelligence about the armed group.

However, the Myanmar military regime on June 13 accused KNDO of killing civilians and urged KNU to explain the death.

A KNDO spokesman told media at the time that some of the group were executed and others killed by junta fire. He said there was evidence that those executed were not road workers, as they had military uniforms, insignia, and military equipment, which KNDO confiscated. On 5 July, KNU temporarily suspended Major General Saw Nerdah Mya and another officer, Captain Saw Bar Wah, along with the investigation of the incident.

Monday this week, the KNU Defense Department announced that the two officers were permanently dismissed. In his stead, Major General Saw Shee Lay will be appointed commander of the KNDO.

KNU Padoh deputy chairman Saw Kwe Htoo Win told The Irrawaddy a commission had completed its investigation and a decision had been taken based on KNU law.

Major General Saw Nerdah Mya, son of the late KNU general chairman General Bo Mya, could not be reached for comment. But in July last year, he condemned his suspension, saying it appeared KNU was trying to appease the regime.

To note, KNU's armed wings, the Karen National Liberation Army and KNDO, have been fighting the junta in Myawaddy and nearby Kawkareik since mid-December.

Myanmar Coup. The VOI editorial team continues to monitor the political situation in one of the ASEAN member countries. Casualties from civilians continue to fall. Readers can follow the news covering the Myanmar military coup by clicking this link.