Two gunmen assassinated the chair of the Kayan Literature and Culture Association in a senseless attack in Pekon Township, according to an officer of the People's Defence Forces fighting the military regime.

''There's no reason for the resistance groups to kill him because he wasn't an informant nor did he have any links with the Burma Army." The officer told NMG that Khoon Francisco (also known as Sayar Ko) had been "actively working for social, developmental and religious causes in our region".

Khoon Francisco had resigned from the military's Union for Solidarity and Development after winning the 2021 general election.

''He was one of the most influential people in our town.''

Khoon Francisco was shot dead in the morning of 11 August while working in his corn field in Kuyin village tract in southern Shan State. The perpetrators are still at large.

Another source belonging to the Karen Literature and Culture Association said he maintained good relations with the chairman of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force, Khoon Pee Tulay, and the commander of Battalion 3, Htet Soe.

"We don't know why he was assassinated... so we can't say who killed him, which we condemn and which is a great loss to our Kayan nationalities."

He said Khoon Francisco's son was still among the 21 leading members of a boycott committee against the junta and that his father had helped youths in protests to end the dictatorship in Pekon Township.

The Kayan Literature and Culture Association issued a statement strongly condemning the killing, saying it wasn't the right way to resolve problems during political crisis.