Shans Take Up Arms Against Rangoon

Shans Take Up Arms Against Rangoon

Back To The Past-Today
21 May 1958 

A handful of Shan youths took a solemn oath to fight for freedom of the Shan State from Rangoon's rule today. 

31 men, led by Saw Yanda a.k.a. Sao Noi a.k.a. Nguakgarnglai, 31, a northern Shan, held a ceremony this morning, made offerings to the guardian spirits of Shan State, and vowed to restore the motherland back to the Shan people. 

The ceremony took place at Sop-huay Samarn, Mongton Township, opposite Chiangdao District, Chiangmai, Thailand. 

They named their incipient army, "Noom Serk Harn Terk-ao Lodliao Gawnkhaw" (Brave Young Warriors For Independence). 17 assorted weapons made up its total arsenal. 

From this arose the Shan State Independence Army (1960) and then the Shan State Army (1964). 

The resistance had its roots in the unabated violations of human rights, democracy and self-rule since independence in 1948 according to Burma watchers. The final straw was when 1958 had come and the authorities chose to ignore the Shans' right to exercise the right of secession, a constitutional prerogative given to the Shans and Karennis. 1958 marked the year when the right became operational. 

The Shan State Army, Southern Command, of Yaedserk holds its 42nd anniversary celebrations today at Loi Tai Leng, opposite Parng Mapha District, Maehongson Province. 

List of the 31 comrades 

1. Saw Yanda - The House of Mao (now in Yunnan Province)

2. Khampao - Loikae, Pangkala

3. Sangsu - Wiangwai, Fang

4. Phrommin - Wiangwai, Fang 

5. Noi-inn - Hueyzoi, Mongpan

6. Pupoi - Hueyzoi, Mongpan

7. Winya - Hueyzoi, Mongpan

8. Ingta - Hueyzoi, Mongpan

9. Kungna - Hueyzoi, Mongpan

10. Kawli - Hueyzoi, Mongpan

11. Ai Tarn - Nawawn, Mongpan

12. Khun Nerng - Poongkurh, Mongpan

13. Ai Lek - Poongkurh, Mongpan

14. Ai Nan - Poongkurh, Mongpan

15. Waling "Short Whip" -Nawngyang, Mongpan

16. Ai Nay - Nawngyang, Mongpan

17. Ping-nya - Nawngyang, Mongpan

18. Pu Noom - Nawngyang, Mongpan 

19. Zingta - Nawngyang, Mongpan

20. Kanzai - Wantok-nawng, Mongpan

21. Pupa "Tattooed Moustache" - Wantok-nawng, Mongpan 

22. Pu Mai - Wantok-nawng, Mongpan

23. Khawng Awng - Longkiang, Mongpan

24. Pu Mawng - Downtown, Mongpan

25. Ai Nyo - Maihiaolao, Mongpan

26. Pu Awng - Tawngkwai North, Mongpan

27. Panti - Tawngkwai North, Mongpan 

28. Htoonlu - Namtawng, Mongpan

29. Ai Khurng Namot - Wanhard, Larngkhurh

30. Laiwong - Htoong-kwaihtao, Loikaw

31. Pu Mongsawng - Mongnawng

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