In-laws war on each other

War

In-laws war on each other

Hostilities have broken out in southern Shan State between a ceasefire group and a "surrender" group whose leaders are in-laws, according to border sources.

Three clashes have already taken place since 14 August between Hsihseng-based Shan State Nationalities People Liberation Organization's battalions and ex-Mong Tai Army's Nayai Development and Welfare Group in Namzang township resulting in at least one SSNPLO commander wounded.

SSNPLO leader is Tarkalay, whose youngest daughter Naw Nyunt May is married to Chou Sang, chief of Nayai. Namzang is 62 miles east of Taunggyi, Shan State's capital.

The feud between the two sides began in mid-July when the SSNPLO was reported to have demanded Chou Sang to move out from areas claimed to be under its control.

The result was the raid by Chou Sang on 14 August on the SSNPLO Battalion 662's temporary base, where the unnamed battalion commander sustained injuries and had to be hospitalized in Mongnai and later in Loilem. In retaliation, the 662nd attacked Marklang Kham village, burned down one of Nayai's buildings and a truck as well as confiscating a motorcycle.

Yesterday, the SSNPLO's 464th Special Battalion, commanded by Zaw Lwin, attacked Nayai with heavy weapons.

Military Intelligence Unit #2, based in Taunggyi, has been trying to mediate between the two sides. "So far, the real cause of the quarrel has yet be specified," said a border security source.

Chou Sang and his younger brother Kao Sang are former associates of ex-warlord Khun Sa and were reported by Show Business: Rangoon's War on Drugs in Shan State (December 2003) as running two refineries in Hsihseng township's Nawnghtao, where Takalay is based.