According to a report from the New Mon State Party, Ramanya Army leader Nai Banyar and nine soldiers joined the New Mon State Party, bringing along seven shotguns, seven long guns, bullets, and ammunition boxes.
The Ramanya contingent joined the New Mon State Party’s Dawei District No. 2 Battalion.
On the morning of February 5th, a battle broke out between the Ramanya Army and an unknown armed group near Yepyu township, and two soldiers from the Ramanya Army were killed.
Regarding the fighting, a resident of Yepyu said, “I haven’t heard which group the fighting involved. I heard that two members of the Ramanya Army were injured, one in the thigh. That’s all I know; I didn’t hear anything else. We’re a bit far from where the battle occurred.”
The Ramanya Army joined forces with the New Mon State Party after losing two soldiers and two guns during the battle.
A source close to the New Mon State Party reported, “The conflict erupted around 3 am on February 5th, involving the KNU. It occurred in a Dawei village west of the Three Pagoda Pass village. Nai Chan’s Ramanya Army suffered two losses, with one member sustaining injuries. The New Mon State Party eventually surrendered after engaging in battle. Essentially, they laid down their arms due to the difficulties we faced. As of now, it remains uncertain whether there were any casualties on the KNU side.”
According to the New Mon State Party report, the troops, including Ramanya Army leader Nai Banyar, are currently well-guarded in the area controlled by the New Mon State Party.
Despite several attempts, officials of the New Mon State Party Dawei District No. 2 Battalion could not be reached by telephone.
The Ramanya Army was established in 2021 under the leadership of Nai Chan to combat the dictatorship and military junta following a military coup.
Nai Chan, the leader of the Ramanya Army, was assassinated by unknown gunmen on September 24th, 2023. Following his assassination, the Ramanya Army continued to be led by Nai Banyar and remained active around Yepyu and Ye township.
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) and other armed groups are also active in the area.
