Shans Protest Against May Massacres

Shans Protest Against May Massacres

An alliance of Shan groups has recently released a statement protesting against the massacres that took place in a southern Shan township, according to Shan correspondent Seng Khao Haeng, who has just returned from the north.
The Joint Action Committee, founded in 1996 by the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), Shan State Army ("North") and Shan State National Army aka SSA-Central, had issued a statement on 27 July about the killings by Rangoon troops in Kunhing Township, Loilem District, southern Shan State, that resumed in May.

The statement homed in on 2 massacres: 

The first one occurred on 17 May 2000 when 26 farmers in Nawng Yasai, Wanhpai Tract were shot down. Only 2 survived.

The second massacre took place three days later at Pangkham, Hsaimong Tract, where 59 villagers were killed. 
"If you add several other isolated killings, the total is no less than 200", said the source, who brought S.H.A.N. a copy of the statement.

According to the statement, those killed were innocent people, among whom were children and women. "Such incidents can generate genocide and should not have happened at a time when a peaceful and developed nation is being constructed....", said the statement.

It also urged the Government of the State Peace and Development Council to take necessary actions against the perpetrators and "those responsible".

The statement charged IB (Infantry Battalion) 246 and 524 with command posts in Kunhing as the perpetrators. 
In addition, LID (Light Infantry Division) 99, that had been combing the area since May were also responsible, wrote a S.H.A.N. source on 10 July.

The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy won the most seats in the Shan State in the 1990 General Elections. The SSA "North" has had a ceasefire agreement with Rangoon since 1989 and the SSNA since 1995. Both latter groups are also allied to each other under the banner of the Shan State Peace Council.