Ceasefire groups will mark anniversary of resistance

Ceasefire groups will mark anniversary of resistance 

Politics 

Two Shan groups that had concluded truce pacts with Rangoon are planning to hold the 45th anniversary of the Shan resistance that was launched on 21 May 1958, according to a ceasefire source. 

The Shan State Army "North" and the Shan State National Army will be jointly holding the celebrations at the Hsengkeo Base in Hsipaw Township. "This year's party will be special," confided the officer, "because it will also honor Sao Loimao (SSA 'North' 's commander) for his successful foiling of Hsaimo's plans to defect to the Burma Army." 

Loimao, 55, had, until his recent almost singlehanded handling of the Third Brigade under Lt-Col Hsaimo's leadership been largely eclipsed by his more popular deputy, Col Gaifah. His intervention on 8 April had reportedly thwarted the latter's backstairs arrangement with the Burma Army's Northeastern command to become a militia force in exchange for some undisclosed lucrative business concessions. 

The celebrations are expected to be presided over by Khun Toon Oo, chairman of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy that had won the most seats in Shan State in the 1990 elections. Khun Toon Oo, 60, had been elected in 1996 by the SSA 'North' and SSNA to head the combined political setup called Joint Action Committee. 

The SSNA is also holding a separate ceremony on the same day at the nearby Khaihsim Base in honor of 256 volunteer teachers who had participated in the recent annual Shan literacy campaign in 200 villages of Northern Shan State. Col Garnyawd, the SSNA leader, is expected to be officiating the ceremony. 

"As we have been observing the event each year without disturbance, we don't suppose the Burma Army will start to do anything different this year," he commented. 

The SSA 'North" and the SSNA have also been united in a Joint military arrangement called Shan State Peace Council (SSPC) since 1996. The SSA "South" 's representation in the council however had been opposed by Rangoon. 

Shans rose up in arms in 1958 after the terms of the Panglong Agreement of 1947: Political and financial autonomy, Human rights and Democracy, were cold-shouldered by Rangoon.