The Chin Youth Network has released a statement on 15 September regarding the controversial Gen Aung San statue to be built in Haka, capital of Chin State.

The statement said that they strongly object to the plan of the Chin State government and parliament to build Gen Aung San statue without consent from the Chin people.

“If the Gen Aung San statue is forcibly developed regardless of fulfilling ethnic people’s political requirements, unwanted hatred would be generated between Chin and Bamar people,” the statement said.

Building the Gen Aung San statue in the regions of ethnic people and ignoring the consent of local ethnic people could cause more harm in the attempt to build peace, national solidarity and reconciliation.

“Chin youths see that the NLD government is trying to build the Gen Aung San statue in ethnic regions with the intention to dominate Burmese racism among local ethnic people,” the Chin Youth Network said.

The Statement raised questions if the decision of the regional government and speaker of the parliament surpasses their mandate. Chin youths also asked their intention of the plan to build the statue in ethnic regions.

Chin Youths urged to give priority to establishing federal union based on equity and self-determination, Gen Aung San promised in the Panglong Agreement.