Ethnic Karen affairs activist Naw Ohn Hla said that the government permitted holding the 70th Karen Martyr’s Day ceremony yesterday which had previously been banned because of COVID-19 outbreak but with pandemic precautions.

She said the authorities had not originally allowed them to hold the ceremony under Peaceful Assembly and Marching in Procession Law but after negotiations between Karen youths and responsible officials from Kyauktada Township Administrator Office held on August 10, permission was given if attendees came in groups of 15, Naw Ohn Hla said.