SHANS ARE HAPPY WITH RANGOON

SHANS ARE HAPPY WITH RANGOON 

Independence 1 August 1985

Contrary to allegations by rebels and agents of imperialism, the people of Shan State are very happy with Rangoon's rule. According to an authoritative source in Rangoon, people there are joyous to be freed from feudal despotism of native feudal lords called SAWBWAS, and thankful to the Burma Army for liberating them. 

This is evident from hundreds of villagers accompanying army units to the various battle fronts. They will not, it is reported, allow brave army-men carry heavy loads, and insist on going out front in mine fields. They do not at all mind heaving their limbs torn and shattered by mines, or even killed. Frequently, Shan villagers are said to have shielded army-men with their bodies, making it impossible for rebels to fire. 

Not only that, they happily uproot themselves when such is required by the army(to deny rebels access to the people), and move on their own into towns without asking for a single kyat as expense or compensation. 

Such uprooting and resettlement of villages a classic counter insurgency measure costing various governments millions of dollars did not cost Rangoon or the Burma army one cent.

How much the Shan love the Burma Army can be seen from the fact that army commanders have yet to receive complaints of untowards incidents. The people are very understanding of the frustrations of Burmese soldiers, and thus forgive the boys when they lose control and molest Shan women-folks, burn villages, loot and kill, or shoot livestocks and poultry. Shan men who have been beaten and tortured by Burmese soldiers just shrug off the pain and humiliation with smiles boys will be boys, they seem to say. 

It is however strange that despite such unconditional support of the Shan for the army, rebellion in Shan State is an ongoing business, and rebels increasing in numbers. 

By Zou Merng-Kao Tai