Shan Ceasefire Group Files a Complaint On Militia Excesses

Shan Ceasefire Group Files a Complaint On Militia Excesses 

The leader of a Shan ceasefire group submitted an official complaint to a regional junta commander on the various abuses committed by a Khun Sa-led militia force, reported a source who arrived at the border recently. 

The official report by Sao Gunyawd, Commander of the Shan State National Army, to Maj.-Gen Thura Tin Aung Myint Oo in mid-March listed the following abuses perpetrated by Bo Mon's Wanparng militia force: 

"5 February Pan Aung, with 12 men, arrested Sai Mawngpa of Markfai village, and shot him dead between Markfai and Nakharn. 

11 February Ah Jiu, with 40 men, summoned a public meeting in Monghet (under SSNA administration) and ordered every household to "contribute" 4 baskets of hulled rice and 5 baskets of unhulled rice annually. 

17 February (The militia force) issued order in Loiwiang and Panghoong for poppy farmers to pay tax. 

3 March Ah Jiu, with his 40 men, fired 2 M79 rocket launchers in Mongket and extorted 40 baskets of rice from the villagers. Announced, "The SSNA must leave the area within 2 months or face military action. The Burmese have granted all their areas to us now." 

6 March (The militia force) taxed the people in Koongmong Tract, K. 5,000 per household. 

7 March (The militia force) held a public meeting in Khoomzong village, explained the structure of the militia force and ordered the villagers to pay K. 500,000 within one week." 

The source did not know what the results of the report were.So far, no clashes have not been reported. 

"Bo Mon, before Yawdserk's penetration to the north, had only Wanparng and Nammusay. But since Yawdserk's encroachment began in mid-1999, the Burmese have already given permission to him to extend his operations into Mongket, Mongyaw, Mongtaem, Monghet, Loimaw, Tasaileng, Mongkeng, Wankard, Mongpard, Mongna, Mongtawm, Zalarn and Kerngka, all known for opium production," said the source. 

As for Khun Sa's involvement in the operations, he said, "Bo Mon often goes to Rangoon to meet Khun Sa and Falang (a.k.a. Chang Hsuchuan, Khun Sa's Chief of Staff). Lao Tai (a.k.a. Yang Wansuan a.k.a. Khin Maung Win, one of the drug suspects on the Americans' wanted list), Khun Sa's Secretary, is also with him.

" The anti-insurgency militia force of Bo Mon, less than 100 strong before, is reported to be 500 strong now and has been sanctioned to increase it to 1,000, the source added. 

According to one of the ceasefire group's officers, the message was clear: The junta is going to use Shans to subdue Shans. "Using fish oil to fry fish, as the saying goes," he said. 

Nevertheless, Gunyawd, whose mutiny in 1995 broke the backbone of Khun Sa's once mighty Mong Tai Army, appears to be still optimistic about his predicament, he said, quoting his superior, "There are four options for us: 

• One, the wood is ruined, but the rabbit is not caught; 

• Two, the wood is not ruined, and the rabbit is not caught; 

• Three, the wood is ruined, and the rabbit is caught; and 

• Four, the wood is not ruined,and the rabbit is caught. 

What we are trying to do is the fourth one. I think you'll agree it's better than any other options."