Karen State

For the first time, Karen people from different regions inside Burma and from the Thai-Burma border got together to discuss current Karen affairs in Hpa-an Town, Karen State. After two days of talks, a Karen Unity and Peace Committee (KUPC) was formed to work towards securing a better future for all Karen people. The meeting held from March 29 to…

The Myanmar Mahar Dana Company called a meeting to discuss with Htilon villagers their plans to build an antimony processing plant near Htilon village, Hlaingbwe Township, in Karen State. Mahar Dana chairman U Tin Soe told villagers at the meeting in Htilon village on March 24, that he wanted to build a processing plant with the agreement of the villagers…

Karen News photojournalist Saw Mort spent time with landmine casualty Saw LahKyi, a Karen National Liberation Army soldier, who lost both legs when he stepped on a mine in 2009. The Royal Thai Army estimates that the Thai Burma border is the region’s most heavily landmined and according to the 2012 Landmine Monitor Report, Karen State has the most casualties…

Farmers in Karen State have been told to apply for land concession of their farmland that were either confiscated or were sold off by officials in the previous military government before the 2010 national election. From February this year farmers can now apply to village administration offices to get back the use of their ‘stolen’ land. Farmers in Hpa-an area…

Land prices in the Hpa-an industrial zone have skyrocketed since it was set up in 2011. Today the price has tripled. The industrial zone located along the Hpa-an to Hlaing Bwe Highway has also cause land prices in the nearby villages of Mae Baung, Taung Ka Lay and Htee Poe Klo to soar to triple what it was last year.…

Villagers in the Kwingalay claim gold mining companies have taken over lands that they used for cultivation. Villagers allege that a Burmese, Thai and Chinese company based in Rangoon is overseeing contract gold mining projects in Karen National Union controlled areas, near Kwingalay village in Thaton Township, Mon State. Villagers say officials from the Karen National Union’s armed wing, the…

District police and officials arrested people working at a gambling facility in Myawaddy, Karen State, and then burnt the casino. The raid took place last weekend. The illegal casino was located in Section 4, near the Vow pagoda, was ordered to be destroyed by the Myawaddy District chairman, U Than Shwe and District police officer, U Aung Myint. A Myawaddy…

Karen villagers in the Pa-an Township area have managed to carve out a niche for themselves while stopping large construction companies from monopolizing the local quarrying business. According to villagers in the area since the government allowed residents to work the quarries in Pa-an Township, Karen State, local people are benefitting. Saw Kyaw Myint Naing, told to Karen News that…

Since last years signed cease-fire agreement between the government and the Karen National Union, the Burma border town of Myawaddy has been awash with government officials, leaders of various armed groups and business people. The most recent high-level delegations to visit the border town were the Karen National Union, including its chairperson, General Saw Mutu Say Poe, who met with…

Ashin Pinnya Thami, the renowned monk from Taunggalay Monastery, was injured and hospitalized following a car accident on his way from Pa-an to Rangoon on January 29. Following treatment for an eye injury the Abbott was released from Taunggalay Army Hospital. Ashin Pinnya Thami assistant, U Ahga O’tha, spoke to Karen News. “Ashin Pinnya Thami is back working at our…