The Karen National Union (KNU)’s Spokesperson Padoh Saw Taw Nee criticized the military council’s extension of the state of emergency for six months and the declaration of martial law for the election as illegal, and they are doing such things because of greedy for power.
At the National Defense and Security Council Meeting held on January 31, on the second anniversary of the army’s seizure of power, military leader General Min Aung Hlaing stated that the country is not yet ready to hold elections and that the country is in an abnormal situation, and extended the state of emergency for six months.
As a result of unanimous agreement from those present at the meeting and the Constitutional Tribunal to General Min Aung Hlaing’s report, the state of emergency was extended for another six months, beginning on February 1, 2023.
Padoh Saw Taw Nee said that the Military Council would extend state of emergency for another six months after the existing one and that all its actions were due to its greed for power.
On February 2, the Military Council declared that 37 townships in eight regions and states had been placed under martial law.
The KNU-controlled Kawkayeik and Kyainseikgyi Townships in Karen State and Ye township in Mon State are among the townships listed in the military council’s statement.
Padoh Saw Taw Nee added, “There is no need to adhere to the Military Council’s statements because it is an illegitimate body that breached the 2008 Constitution itself, and we will continue to do what we have to do”.
The military council has given authority to regional commanders to deal with issues such as
security, social and trade affairs, as well as transportation in the townships under martial law.
Military courts in townships have the authority to rule in 23 different kinds of cases under martial law, including treason, government sedition, Section 505 of the Criminal Code, Arms Act, murder, and inciting a government employee to commit a crime.
Despite the military council’s announcement of a one-year extension of the ceasefire with the ethnic revolutionary armed forces, it has engaged in fierce fighting against many ethnic armed groups, including the KNU, with airstrikes.
