The Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) has banned logging and transportation of timber in Karenni State.

Khu Nye Reh, who heads KNPP’s ministry of interior affairs, warned that action will be taken against those who violate the ban, which came into force on 9 March. He explained that they must implement rule of law in the state and they have the police under their command to enforce the ban. Khu Nye Reh said they’re likely to arrest violators and confiscate their logs and vehicles.

“We’ll not allow any logging in our Karenni State,” he said, explaining once they win the war they’ll use the timber to rebuild communities that were devastated during the conflict with the regime’s forces.

According to a KNPP statement, the military have been allowing companies to extract timber in the state after the coup.