Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.)

21 February 2012
Maj Gen Zaw Win, Deputy Minister for Border Affairs, on 27 January, in reply to the inquiry made by People’s Assembly MP Sai Aung Kyi, said the BP1 checkpoint between Mongton and Chiangmai, closed since 2002, will not be opened yet, according to sources from Mongton. But the road from Mongton to BP1, 53 miles (85 km), will be renovated during the 2012-13 fiscal year that begins in April. (SHAN)

20 February 2012
Drivers of many passenger vehicles that run between Mandalay and Muse, a distance of 288 miles (460.8 km), are drug users, according to concerned travelers. There are two stops on the way: 38 mile station near Hsenwi and Pang Makhaw (Zibin Sakhan) between Kyaukme and Gokhteik. While passengers are having their meals, the drivers are taking methamphetamines. Some of them even double as drug carriers. (SHAN)

20 February 2012
Shan State Army (SSA) South’s Hsipaw township administrator Sai Ta Long and his wife were shot dead by Hsipaw-based IB 23 troops at Haikwi while they were shopping on 17 February. He was wearing the SSA uniform. The SSA South signed the ceasefire agreement on 2 December 2011. The killing has upset both the SSA and the local people, said the source. (SHAN)

20 February 2012
A Shan State Army (SSA) South patrol clashed with a Burma Army column on 18 February in Monghai, where Mongphyak and Tachilek townships meet, according to SSA Sources. “It could escalate into a prolonged battle, if nothing is done”, said Lt-Col Gawn Zeun, Commander of the SSA forces in Shan State East. As far as the Burma Army is concerned, the “no-fighting zone” is the Homong-Monghta area, opposite Maehongson and Chiangrai, said an informed source on the border. (SHAN)

18 February 2012
Sakhong Ting Ying, leader of the Kachin Border Guard Force (BGF) and elected MP for the National Assembly, visited Khun Tun Oo, leader of Shan Nationalities League of Democracy (SNLD). Ting Ying reportedly urged Khun Tun Oo to play a leading role in securing state and ethnic rights, according to SNLD sources. (SHAN)

19 February 2012
Wasant Panich, chairman of the Lawyers Council of Thailand’s committee on human right, urged Thai government to negotiate with Myanmar to review its policy on migrant workers and ease the procedures for establishing nationality verification. Migrant workers at present need proof of identity papers from their home government. They have to complete verification by June 14. (Bangkok Post)

14 February 2012
Meeting representatives from the parties that will contest the by-elections on 1 April, Union Elections Commission Chairman U Tin Aye informs them:
- The by-elections will be free and fair
- Lists of eligible voters will be posted at the polling stations
- They will also be distributed to each candidate
- Advance vote will be collected only when it is necessary, and they will arrive at the counting centers before the polling stations close at 15:00 (SHAN)

15 February 2012
The Shan State Army (SSA) South that signed a ceasefire agreement on 2 December will not be able to send survey teams to Homong and Mong Hta areas in order to locate sites for resettlement of displaced people tomorrow, said SSA leader Yawdserk this morning. The Triangle Region Command, based in Kengtung, had informed him that no instructions have been received so far, with regards to the implementation of the 16 January agreement that had assigned the Homong-Monghta area as a special development zone for the SSA. (SHAN)

14 February 2012
Euro Burma Office (EBO) director Harn Yawnghwe, on his third visit to Burma, met Khun Tun Oo at 11:00. He urged the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) leader to take care of his health, as his leadership in the struggle for a genuine union is needed. Harn Yawnghwe also wanted him to arrange a political gathering where all the ethnic armed movements could air their political concerns. (Kawli News)