Shan Party Leaders In Exile

Shan Party Leaders In Exile 

Some leaders of the Shan party that won elections in the Shan State in 1990 have left the country following increasing crackdowns and tightening security by the military authorities, reported Saengjuen Sarawin, S.H.A.N.'s star reporter. 

The first one to leave was Sai Dui, 42, Party Membership No. 000018, and joint secretary general-3, of the Shan Nationalities league for Democracy, the party that won the most seats in Shan State and the second largest party in Burma. 

The next one, Sai Win Pay, 41, Party Membership No. 011025, elected representative of Monghsu, left the country in April. 

The latest one to come out is Sai Aung Mart a.k.a Sai Htikham, 40, Party Member No. 000016, co-founder, a joint secretary general and one of the most important leaders in the SNLD. 

He arrived with his family, consisting of his wife, Nang Nu, and two teenage son and daughter, Sai Laonoom and Nang Monuankham on 7 September to stay as an honored guest of Yawdserk's Shan States Army. 

"Being outspoken and hyperactive, he wouldn't last much longer there without facing arrest", a friend who knew him well said. He had already been under custody of the notorious Military Intelligence in May 1996 and was undergoing a series of interrogations before he left. 

His plans, however, are as yet not disclosed. "But I'm carrying on with the struggle', he told S.H.A.N.. "You may rest assured on that". 

At present, he is reported to be going through a series of meetings with other Shan leaders in exile and the SSA's commander-in-chief. 

A native of Nawnghpa, Tangyan Township, Lashio District, he served as an advocate for several years after his graduation from Rangoon Arts and Science University in 1983.