More details on massacre reported

More details on massacre reported

The Network Media Group, citing sources from northern Shan State, reported that the killings in southern Shan State on 7 July were on the orders of the Eastern Region Command in Taunggyi.

The surprise raid by the combined column from LIB 512 and LIB 515 commanded by Maj. Myo Sein killed Capt. Khamla and 5 members of the Shan State National Army, a Shan ceasefire group, it said. One of them, Captain Zai Hpong, died from his wounds in the nearby village of Pang Hok, where he fled to.

Another 11 members, including Tha Nge, were taken alive at his house in the village. They were interrogated, lined up and shot to death by Lieutenent Naing Win's unit, it said.

A S.H.A.N. source in Taunggyi said one of those executed was Sanghtee, a relative of Karnyawd, the SSNA leader.

NMG also reported that Maj. Gen Maung Bo, Commander of the Eastern Region Command, had during a 'reconciliation' meeting on 28 June, urged Zai Phong to accept Kanna, a Shan protege of the late Secretary Two, Lt.-Gen. Tin Oo, as "Patron," but Zai Phong had refused.

Sources from the Shan State Army said both Kanna and Zai Phong split away from Karnyawd in 1996 and were then accepted by Rangoon as a militia force in Mongkerng, 108 miles northeast of Taunggyi.