Shan Party Rallies For Union With Burma

Shan Party Rallies For Union With Burma

Back To The Past-Today 
5 February 1947 

A Shan political party participating in the Panglong Conference issued a statement today rallying all Shans to join Burma for early independence. 

The Shan States Peoples' Freedom League (SSPFL), formed the previous year, in its Proclamation No. 4 issued today under the headline, "Let Us Join Burma To Achieve Independence", said it "firmly believe(s) that Shanland can exist as sovereign country", but since "the Shans' present strength is insufficient to expel colonialism . . ..", "(o)nly through the unity of the nationalities . . . can . . both Shanland and Burma become free". 

The terms for unity with Burma, it said, were "equal rights, firm mutual pledges, self determination in internal affairs and the right of secession". 

The statement was put forth with the purpose of persuading the Shans who were still either "beating about the bush" or "wanting to go it alone". 

The SSPFL was led by anti-feudalist youths among whom were Tin Aye, Htoon Myint Langkhurh, Htoon Myint Taunggyi, Khun Hti and Shwe Ohn. 

Htoon Myint Taunggyi later reported that the line put forward by the party was "accepted by the Shan princes and other national groups". 

Credit: The Secession Issue, 1957, Htoon Myint Taunggyi.