Three jailed youth leaders who led a campaign to free internally displaced people from Kachin State’s conflict zone last year have been selected to receive the Kachin Human Rights Award.

Steven, who is a member of awarding committee, said that the Wunpawng Amyu Sha Mung Bawng Rapdaw organization and the World Kachin Congress decided to give this award to protest leaders Lum Zawng, Zau Jat and Nang Pu on February 9.

The award ceremony will take place at Majwe hall in Myitkyina on Wednesday.

“This celebration is for the people who oppose against all kinds of injustice,” Sut Seng Htoi, an activist and member of the award’s committee, told KNG.

Lum Zawng, Nang Pu and Zau Jat were sentenced to six months in prison in December 2018 for leading a demonstration against a military blockage which was preventing civilians from leaving an active warzone in Hpakant and Tanai townships and from receiving aid.

They were charged and convicted of defaming the Burmese armed forces, and also fined 500,000 kyat (US$324).

In addition to leading the protest, Lum Zawng is a laywer, Nang Pu heads the Htoi Gender and Development Foundation, and Zau Jat works with the Kachin Social Development Foundation.