Shan National Day Celebrated On the Border

Shan National Day Celebrated On the Border

The Shan National Day, marking the defiance of the people of Shan States against their British rulers 53 years ago, was celebrated by the opposition groups of Shan State today near the border in Chiangmai. 

Sao Sengsuk, former president of the Shan State Progress Party and present leader of the Shan Democratic Union, who presided over the ceremony, told the participants from Shan, Lahu, Pa-o, Palaung and Wa groups the occasion was significant. "We need to restore our traditions of having mutual recognition for each other's rights and respect for the principle of peaceful coexistence." 

"This is the first time in decades when the people of Shan States jointly celebrate the occasion", said one participant. "In the past, both Shans and non-Shans alike, thought it was only for Shans not realizing that it was non-Shan leaders like Sao Khun Pan Sing of Tawngpeng and Sao Khun Kyi of Hsihseng who had been largely instrumental in making this great day." 

The ceremony, organized by Markoban, MP, Pekon, started at 10:00 and ended at 17:00. 

The Joint Statement issued at the ceremony urged the people of Shan State to build a new Federated Shan States where its people would determine their own destiny without outside interference. 

The old Federated Shan States, formed during the British era, united 33 princely states. 

On 7 February 1947, the people overthrew the Federal Council chaired by the British representative and replaced it with a council of their own that was composed of equal number of representatives from both the princes and the people.