NSCN-IM must not lie: KNA-Burma rejects blame for Naga officer’s death

Mandalay: The Kuki National Army-Burma (KNA-B) has vehemently denied allegations from the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) that they were responsible for the death of Lieutenant Sentilong Jamir, a resident of Nagaland, India. In a strongly worded statement, KNA-B condemned the accusations as baseless and designed to incite violence between the Ao community in Nagaland and the Kuki community.

The controversy began with a condolence message from NSCN-IM on May 23, 2024, which accused KNA-B of killing Lieutenant Jamir during the recent Operation Myothit. KNA-B clarified that the operation, conducted between May 7 and May 11, 2024, was a joint effort under the command of the Democratic Alliance Army and included forces from both KNA-B and the People’s Defense Force (PDF).

“During intense battlefield engagements, it is impossible to identify individual opponents unless they surrender or are captured. Our fight is to reinstate democratic principles in Myanmar, and we respect the lives of our opponents,” KNA-B stated, emphasizing that many from the military junta had surrendered to them during the operation.