Mizzima News

New Delhi (Mizzima) - Burmese cease-fire ethnic group, Kachin Independent Army (KIA)’s Deputy Chief of Staff, Brigadier Hpung Gan Zau Nan was died of Liver Cancer in it headquarter on Chino-Burma border. 

An official from KIA, armed wing of Kachin Independent Organization (KIO) said in anonymity condition that Brigadier Hpung Gan Zau Nan was died in KIA’s Army hospital in Laiza in Kachin state at 10:10 AM on Monday.

“He was died of Liver Cancer this morning,” an official from KIA told Mizzima on Monday.

When Mizzima asked KIA official on how much the death of their leader will impact on the course of it organization, he said, “It too early say anything on his death. We need to sit for meeting.”

Zau Nan was the former commander of Brigade 4 before he was being promoted to the present rank Deputy Commander-in-chief of Kachin Armed group, according to KIA official. 

Meanwhile, Speaking to Mizzima, Chino-Burma border based Burmese military observer Aung Kyaw Zaw said, Zau Nan was known for his moderate in nationalism and skill in public relation.

“He was well-verse in communicate with the comrades from senior and junior. Not like other he was also very moderate in nationalism,” said Aung Kyaw Zaw.

“I think it was a great lost for KIA and KIO losing such a good person like him,” he added.

KIA formed in February 1961, fight for state independent. KIA reached a ceasefire agreement with the military regime in February 1994.

The delegates of KIO also joined the regime’s 15 year long national convention that drafted national constitution endorsed last year.

Moreover, Dr. Tuja, KIO Vice-chairman said, some civilian leaders of KIO, in the form of different party, are preparing to contest in the regime’s upcoming election slated in 2010.