SSA former leader dies from hypertension

_{By: Kwarn Lake (Tel:++6683 9474191)}

Lieutenant-Colonel Hsarm Moon Tom, 57, passed away on 23 March at 17:30 (China standard time) in his home in Nawng Seng village, Nawng Tao, Ruili.

A doctor diagnosed that his blood vessels in the brain were damaged by hypertension. His body will be cremated today.


Hsarm Moon Tom, a native of Kyaukme, joined the SSA-N in 1979 and had served army as a high-ranking officer.

He resigned three years ago after he was demoted by SSA-N to be a Major for his refusal to continue attending the Burmese military regime's National Convention, according to a source close to SSA-N.

He was a member of delegation that represented SSA-N to attend the NC in 2005. He refused to continue attending the NC because constitutional proposals submitted by ceasefire groups were not taken for consideration by the regime.

Shan State Army – North is a ceasefire group currently led by Major-General Loimao. It concluded truce with the Burma Army in 1989. It is officially known as Shan State Special Region # 3 by the ruling military council.

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