A Karen ethnic armed organization has announced tentative plans to build a martyr’s mausoleum in Kawkareik township, Kayin (Karen) State.
General Saw Kyaw Nyunt, joint secretary of the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army Peace Council, said the memorial mausoleum would allow all Karen to have a place to pay respects for their fallen leaders.
“We plan to build a martyrs’ mausoleum in the area where Saw Ba U Gyi and Major General Sai Kay fell,” he said.
The Karen nationalist leaders were killed in Tokawko Village on August 12, 1950. The day has been commemorated annually by the KNU/KNLA Peace Council since they split from the KNU in 2007.
“We still need to consult with not only the public but also [with] all Karen ethnic armed groups on this [mausoleum] since it concerns all the Karen people,” Gen Saw Kyaw Nyunt told KIC News.
According to residents of Tokawko Village, the number of visitors coming to pay homage to the former leaders has increased every year since tombs were built. This year, around 500 people paid their respects on August 12.
The KNU/KNLA Peace Council was formed in 2007 by the former leader of the Karen National Liberation Army’s Brigade 7. The group signed a ceasefire later that year.
