NDA-K will Elect New Leader
September 21, 2005

The Kachin Post

A Kachin ceasefire group, New Democratic Army-Kachin (NDA-K), will elect its new leader in near future after successful coup in last week at the organization’s headquarters Pang Wa in northern Burma.

On September 14, NDA-K general secretary Layawk Ze Lum led a coup which ousted leader Zahkung Ting Ying while he was in Rangoon. The coup leader arrested some 80 persons including Ting Ying’s family members and his security guards. The major reason behind the coup is Ze Lum and his coup group’s objection against the Ting Ying’s stringent control on the organization’s business for his own purpose and set up Chinese troops for his personal security.

NDA-K will hold a public referendum to elect its new leader. The proposed nominees are Layawk Ze Lum, Chang Lang and Zau Lai.

On Monday, an NDA-K officer was shot to death by its comrade in Phrae village between Pang Wa and Phi Maw township. However, rumors are spreading that the new phase of clash has broken out between the troops loyal to Zahkung Ting Ying and Ze Lum, leaving several dead and wounded soldiers.

According to Kachin Independence Organization source, Zahkung Ting Ying, who is now in Myitkyina, has officially resigned from NDA-K leader post. Ting Ying led NDA-K since the organization reached ceasefire agreement with Burmese military government in 1989.

Both Ze Lum and Zahkung Ting Ying were former comrade and officers from Kachin Independence Army during 60s and later they defected to form Communist Party of Burma’s 101 war zone in northern Kachin State.