Mizzima News

Chiang Mai – The Karen National Union (KNU) has denied reports that the person arrested by Burmese soldiers in Thailand belongs to KNU.

News was in circulation in Thailand that 2nd Lt. Pu Pu of the KNU Drug Enforcement Force was arrested by Burmese soldiers on July 11 near Friendship Bridge in Maesod, northern Thailand.

"We can confirm that he is not a member of the KNU," Pado Saw Hla Ngwe, Information Department in-charge of KNU Headquarters, told Mizzima.

The KNU denied and responded to the news at the same time saying that 2nd Lt. Pu Pu from KNU arrived at a place near Friendship Bridge to meet Burmese soldiers on appointment and then he was beaten unconscious and taken away in a mini-bus to Myawadi across Maesod.

"He used to visit some leaders of KNU occasionally, but I'd like to say he has nothing to do with KNU anymore," Pado Saw Hla Ngwe said.

Though the person arrested by Burmese soldiers joined hands with KNU in an anti-drug campaign two years ago, he hasn't had any relationship with the KNU for long time, Pado Saw Hla Ngwe added.

"We learnt that he sometimes lived in Mae La refugee camp and did odd jobs outside," he added.

While Burmese soldiers came and arrested a person in Thailand, some officers from Maj. Gen. Htein Maung's KNU-KNLA (Peace Council), a breakaway group of the KNU, returned and rejoined.

Lt. Col. Saw Gay Htu and some of his soldiers came back for fear of being punished after Saw Lemu, son-in-law of Maj. Gen. Htein Maung, was assassinated.