Kayah State
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Kayah, also called Karenni State is a Kayah State is a state of Myanmar. Situated in eastern Myanmar it is bounded on the north by Shan State, on the east by Thailand’s Mae Hong Son province, and on the south and west by Kayin State. It lies approximately between 18° 30' and 19° 55' north latitude and between 94°40' and 97° 93' east longitude. The area is 4,530 sq miles (11,670 sq km). Its capital is Loikaw (Sometimes spelled Loi-kaw). The estimated population in 1996 was approximately 240,000. It is inhabited primarily by the Karenni ethnic group.
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Demographics
Ethnographers classify anywhere from seven to ten ethnic groups (not including ethnic sub-groups) as “native” to Kayan State. In addition, Shan, Intha, and Bamar live in the north and Pa-o in surrounding hills. Each group is also known by more than one name. Clearly, ethnicity in Kayan State is a complex issue, made more complex by the current political situation.
- Karenni (Red Karen)
- Padaung (Kayan)
- Bwe
- Geba (White Karen)
- Manumanaw
- Yantale
- Zayein (Lahta)
- Geko
- Yinbaw
- Paku
Organization
The state capital is Loikaw. The state is divided into 4 districts (Bawlake, Kantarawaddy, Kyebogyi, Mong Pai) which are divided into seven townships with 106 wards and villages.
Economy
Kayah State has a primarly extraction-based economy. The main crop is rice, mostly irrigated, with other important crops including millet, maize, sesame, groundnut, garlic, and vegetables. Mineral products include alabaster, tin, and tungsten. Valuable woods such as teak and pine were once produced, but the forests have largely been stripped bare by illegal logging authorized by the Myanmar military. The hydroelectric power plant at Lawpita Falls outside of Loikaw is of strategic importance, as it supplies over 20% of Myanmar's total electrical power.
Kayah State has theoretical tourist potential, should the political situation ever be resolved. The land is beautiful, with rugged mountains, river streams, lakes and waterfalls; however, transport and communication are difficult. At present, Kayah State is open to outsiders by permit only, which can be difficult to obtain depending on the current military situation. Even with a permit, usually only a 25 km radius around Loikaw is allowed. The central government effectively controls only Loikaw and parts of the western half of the State.
History
For history previous to 1948, see Karenni States.
In August 1948, the Karenni leader U Bee Htu Re was assassinated by central government militia for his opposition to inclusion of the Karenni States into the Union of Burma. An armed uprising swept the state that has continued to the present day.
In 1957, pro-independence groups already active in the area formed the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), backed by its own army, the Karenni Army (KA). Apart from a brief ceasefire in 1995, the KA has been fighting ever since. Rivals to the KNPP include the leftist Kayan New Land Party (KNLP), and the Karenni National People's Liberation Front (KNPLF), both of which are now allied with the Myanmar military.
In 1976, Myanmar's State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) of stepped up its campaign to crush Karenni independence with a population transfer program, forcibly moving villagers to designated relocation sites to deprive the pro-independence forces of bases of support. The Myanmar government has been accused of massive human rights violations in the region. It has been alleged that villagers live under the constant threat of rape, beatings, arbitary arrest or execution, conscription as slave labor for the Myanmar army, and having their food and possessions taken without compensation. It has also been alleged that the relocation centers have inadequate access to water, food, medical services, and educational facilities. An estimated 50,000 Karenni people classified as IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and thousands more are in refugee camps in Thailand.
In 2005, although ceasefire talks continue sporatically, there have been no further developments and the fighting continues.
External Link
- Karenni State at Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) (http://www.unpo.org/member.php?arg=29)et:Kaja osariik