KNU warns civil servants working under military junta to leave Papun within 10 days

02 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
2 January 2023, Papun, Kayin State

The Karen National Union (KNU) issued a statement on January 1 warning all civil servants working under the Myanmar junta in Papun Township, Kayin (Karen) State, to resign from their jobs within the next 10 days.

KNU Brigade 5 issued a letter instructing civil servants under the military regime to depart Papun and Kamamaung towns from January 1 to 10.

The KNU also warned civil servants under the regime that the Karen ethnic armed group would take action if they did not comply with the statement’s edict. Following the release of the KNU statement, around 200 junta soldiers and Border Guard Force members were deployed to Papun and nearby villages, said a resident of Papun.

“Around 200 junta soldiers and BGF members were dispatched to Papun and nearby villages and some of them are patrolling in military trucks in downtown Papun. Junta soldiers from the military’s Light Infantry Battalion No. 434 and members of BGF Battalion No. 1012 are seen patrolling around Papun,” the Papun resident added.

Some government offices in downtown Papun were closed after the KNU issued the letter, said residents of Papun.

“Offices for the General Administration Department, Irrigation Department, and the township court have been closed since 2 p.m.,” another Papun resident said.

Junta soldiers and BGF members are patrolling along the Papun-Kamamaung road and are also deployed at schools and hospitals, according to local people.

“Dozens of junta soldiers and BGF members are deployed inside and outside Papun. Government offices were closed. Schools let students out early,” the Papun resident added.

DMG attempted to phone regime spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun to seek comment on the KNU’s statement, but he could not be reached.

Scores of civil servants working under the Myanmar junta reportedly left Papun in February 2022, after KNU Brigade 5 issued a letter instructing them to depart.