The United Wa State Party (UWSP), the political wing of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the largest armed ethnic group in Burma, has criticised the recent bombing of a concert in Kachin State that killed nearly 80 people.

“We are observing the consequences of the brutal and deadly airstrikes in Hpakant,” it said in a recent statement, which was translated from Chinese by Nyi Ran, head of the UWSA liaison office in KIO-controlled Lashio.

Three junta jet fighters dropped three bombs on the concert in A Nang Pa, Hpakant Township, celebrating the 62nd anniversary of the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO). Burma Army soldiers (BA) prevented those wounded in the attack on 23 October from reaching hospitals in Hpakant Township and Myitkyina.

“We are shocked after learning of the civilian causalities caused by the deadly airstrikes. We are dismayed for the KIO and all the innocent people who were killed...We would like to send our condolences to the families of the victims,” the statement said, while calling for a conflict resolution to protect women and children.

The UWSP said all armed organisations should avoid fighting that results in excessive deaths.

In order to end conflicts and resolve differences, it suggested that the parties involved should solve their problems through peaceful dialogue. According to the Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights, innocent people, women and children must be protected during armed conflicts, the statement said.

The UWSP/UWSA are part of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee,

which also includes the KIO and other members of the Northern Alliance.

SEO Keywords: UWSA, Hpakant Facebook: “We are dismayed for the KIO and all the innocent people who were killed,” the UWSP statement said.