“The ALP is a signatory to the Nationwide CeasefireAgreement (NCA). As an organization that is a signatory to the NCA, we have therights to talk with all official government organizations. We can hold talks.”Khaing Thurein – Secretary of ALP

An interview with Khaing Thurein, Secretary of the ALPsplinter group about the current situation.

There is widespread news that the Arakan Liberation Party(ALP) splinter group led by Daw Saw Mra Raza Lin, who has good relations withthe military council, is discussing with the military council to transform intothe Border Guard Forces (BGF) under the military council. Along with this news,some of the top leaders of the ALP splinter group have been shot dead thisyear.

On 1 July, Vice-Chair of the ALP Khaing Ni Yaung, battalioncommander Khaing Kyaw Min from No.101 Battalion under the Arakan LiberationArmy (ALA) and comrade Kyaw Kyaw Naing, were shot dead in Sittwe. The news hasemerged of the ALP’s arrets, torture and extortion of locals in cooperationwith the military council with the base in Setyonesu ward in Sittwe. Inaddition, there is widespread news that the ALP is planning to build a partyoffice on a land plot granted by the military council near Bumay village inSittwe.

The Narinjara interviewed Khaing Thurein, Secretary of theALP led by Daw Saw Mra Raza Lin on 6 July.

Q:First, the news has emerged that the ALP is in talks with the military councilto transform it into a Border Guard Force (BGF). What do you want to respondto?

A: I have never had such a case. We have yet to discuss itwith the military council.

Q: Three peopleincluding the party’s Vice-Chair Khaing Ni Yaung were shot dead in Sittwe recently.How is the party working on it?

A: We are cooperating with the Ministry of Home Affairs andthe battalion to arrest the culprits.

Q: How many suspects arebeing arrested and interrogated?

A: I can’t say it. What I can tell you is that we are workingon this. That’s all I can tell you.

Q: Family members ofsome people being detained by the ALP in connection with this allegedassassination, are worried about the torture of detainees. What would you liketo tell the families about this?

A: If they are innocent, they will be released. The HomeAffairs Ministry and the military will continue to do it if they have committedthe crime.

Q: At the same time, theALP has accused the Arakan Army (AA) of committing that shooting? Why does theALP accuse the AA of shooting and killing three top leaders, on 4 January?

A: We have evidence. As for what they did, there are thingsthat cannot be told. We will tell you what should be told to the media. Why doyou exactly say that this is the perpetration of the AA?

Q: Do you have any planto hold talks with the AA about it?

A: At the moment, we have no plan to discuss.

Q: What would you liketo say about this?

A: What’s the point of fighting among Arakan people likethis? Arakan people themselves will have to think about it. We have taken uparms for the betterment and development of our Arakan State. We have beenengaging in the revolution. There should be no killings among Arakan people. Tobe clear, it is embarrassing. Such cases occur in the history of therevolution. I want to say this. They have many perceptive high-rankingofficials. They need to consider whether what they are doing is right or wrong.I have no reason to criticize this.

Q: On the other hand,the people have accused the ALP led by Daw Saw Mra Raza Lin of arresting,torturing and extorting locals in cooperation with the military, headquarteredin Setyonesu ward in Sittwe. What do you want to say about that?

A: There are no such cases. The reason why they are sayingso is they themselves can’t solve it after committing the offense. There areaccusations of defamation when their offense comes to the surface. Because ourALP is not cooperating with the military. The ALP is a signatory to theNationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). As an organization that is a NCAsignatory, we have the rights to speak with all official governmentorganizations. So, we liaise with the military. I want to review that thealleged accusation of torture in cooperation with the military is an improperword.

Q: There is news thatthe ALP plans to build a new party office near Bumay Muslim village nearSittwe. What do you want to say about that?

A: We are doing what we should do. Some groups on the groundmay be doing it as they have something to do.

Q: Do you want to saythat the new party office will be built in Bumay?

A: I can’t say anything about these at this time. I don’tknow where the news emerges. Therefore, some issues that we do not need toresolve will not be resolved. That’s all I want to say.

Q: There is somecriticism that the ALP’s uniform is similar to the military uniform. What doyou want to respond to that criticism?

A: It’s not similar to the military uniform. In therevolution, the people wear their respective uniforms. To be clear, the uniformis a long-time problem. Our members are wearing our uniforms. I would like tosay that the people are accusing us based on their views. This uniform problemhas arisen since before the assassination of Major General Saw Mra. We arewearing the former uniform.

Q: How are you going tobuild the ALP in the future as there is a lot of criticism on the ALP and asplit within the group?

A: The ALP will not turn back on the direction we are takingdue to assassinations and blows. Everything is going as usual.

Q: Finally, is thereanything else you would like to say?

A: What I want to tell the Arakan people is that ArakanState has been severely affected by cyclone Mocha. To put it bluntly, ArakanState is one of the least developed areas of Myanmar. Instead of disunity,quarrel and disagreement among Arakan people, we need to coordinate and discussdisagreements among us. What can we do? The people can tell us openly and makedemands. It is a suitable time for Arakan people to join hands and go on ajourney. This is not the time when one side fights with the other. That’s all Iwant to say.

Yes. Thank you very much fortaking the time.