The ethnic armed groups, the Karen National Union (KNU) and the New Mon State Party (NMSP), met on May 3 to discuss a recent territory dispute that occurred in the Three Pagodas Pass (TPP) area.
Gunfire erupted between the NMSP and KNU troops for 20 minutes on April 29, at TharHtein (Thanpayar river) Chaungpayar (river) over timber production in disputed territory. Following the clash, the KNU troops surrounded the NMSP base near TharHtein Village, and blocked the entrance and exit roads of TharHtein Village. Consequently, tensions ran high between the two groups.
To prevent further clashes and find a solution, the officials from the ethnic armed groups held a meeting on Friday, at 4 PM, at the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) Magatar Chaungzone Yetakon base near Chaungzone Village, Three Pagodas Pass (TPP) Township.
According to Nai Nathu Rehmon, the chair of the NMSP Central Surrounding Area Group, the KNU and NMSP came to a three-part agreement that involved 1) halting road construction and timber production in the area where the dispute took place, 2) withdrawing troops from the site, and 3) informing the liaison offices before patrolling the area.
“At the meeting, with the presence of the chair of KNU-Dooplaya and his officials, we reached some agreement. But so far, they have not withdrawn their troops yet [till Friday afternoon]. According to the agreement, they will have to withdraw their troops,” said Nai Nathu Rehmon on Friday afternoon.
KNU officials present at the meeting included Doopalaya District Chair Padoh Shwe Maung, Lt. Col. Saw Shwe Win, commander of Battalion 16 of Karen National Liberation Army (armed wing of KNU), Intelligence Officer Saw Robert, Saw Thoothoo, depty officer of (KNU) TPP Liaison. Representing the NMSP at the meeting were Nai Nathu Rehmon, Lt. Col. M Seik Chan, battalion commander of Battalion No. 5 of the Mon National Liberation Army (the armed wing of NMSP), Nai Aung Than, officer of NMSP’s TPP Liaison, and other officials of NMSP’s TPP Liaison. Officials discussed for two hours before reaching the three-part agreement.
However, despite the agreement, a KNU unit positioned at the entrance and exit of TharHtein Village, did not depart the place until Friday afternoon, according to Nai Arkar, chair of NMSP – TPP.
When a Mon News Agency reporter contacted Saw Thu Thu, deputy official at KNU’s liaison (TPP), he responded that he would comment after presenting the matter to the senior officials.
Translated by Jaeneh Aong and edited by Jordan Lee
