The service in honor of KIO Chairman Gen. Nban La marks more than half a century of service to the Kachin cause and other important anniversaries.

A special prayer service was held in Laiza, the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), on Sunday to mark a number of significant anniversaries in the life of the group’s chairman, Gen. Nban La.

“The KIO chairman is now 73 years old. He has served the revolution for 55 years. And he has been married for 45 years. That is why his family decided to hold this service for him,” said Rev. Lahpai Shing Rip, who presided over the service.

The service was attended by Gen. Nban La’s family, members of the KIO and their relatives, and other guests.

Gen. Nban La worked as a chairman of United Nationalities Federal Council, a coalition of ethnic armed organizations in Burma, from 2011 until 2017.

Gen. Nban La became chairman of the KIO in January 2018 and has since initiated bilateral ceasefire negotiations with the Burma Army.