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Shans Approve Federal Proposal

by admin — last modified 2005-06-04 12:59

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24 January 1961

Today, the Shan State Government stamped its approval to the draft federal proposal submitted by its 30-member task force.

Sao Pyi, Prince of Mongnai and President of the Shan State Government, ratified the draft federal proposal submitted by the 30-member committee, appointed on 22 December 1960, "to go into the question of the amendment of the (Union) constitution", according to Sao Hso Hom, Prince of Mongpawn.

The 'Blue Book' suggested "several amendments to the constitution, one of which was to make Burma a state and there after to make all States equal in status, power and privilege", he reported in his paper, "The Shans".
The "Amendment Committee was made up of the following members:

Sao Khun Aung
U Hme
Sao Yawd Mong
Sao Shwe Thaike,Yawnghwe (Panglong Signatory)
Sao Man Hpa, Monghsu
Sao Kya Seng, Hsipaw
Sao Shwe Hmung
U Sam Mya
U Htun Ohn
U Htun Aye
U Kham
U Aung Than
U Lun
U Soe Maung
U Chit Lu
U Pyu (Panglong Signatory)
U Hla Pe
U Kyaw Sein
U Htun Pe
U Hkun Htee (Panglong Signatory)
U Htun Myint Taunggyi
U Hkun Naung
U Yee Rong
Sao Man Hpa
U Kya Bu (Panglong Signatory)
Dr. Ba Nyan
Sao Htun Aye (Panglong Signatory)
Hkun Sam Myat
U Kyaw Hkawng
Sao Hso Hom (Mongpawn)

"The said committee in turn appointed a small committee of six men, called the Steering Committee to discharge the task entrusted by the meeting", continued Sao Hso Hom. Among the six were U Kyaw Sein, a Pa-o; the wellknown Htun Myint Taunggyi, who wrote a number of political booklets such as 'The Secession Issue' and 'Shanland's Grievances', and Sao Hso Hom himself.

The movement for the amendment of the constitution came into being after China and Burma agreed on the demarkation of the boundary between the two countries. It had become necessary to amend the constitution, especially in relation to its boundaries. Accordingly, a Constitution Revision Committee, headed by Dr. E Maung, was appointed, and three principles were laid down for its guidance:

Not to infringe the principle underlying the constitution;
Not to infringe the principle of democracy;
Not to suggest any amendment that will sow dissension or promote discord among the races living within the Union.

Credit: Sao Hso Hom, whose father, Sao Sam Htun, was assassinated along with General Aung San in 1947. He was detained for 5 years after the coup in 1962.

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Shans Approve Federal Proposal