16 released, 15 still behind bars

Politics

16 released, 15 still behind bars

Reporter: Chai Sayam

Out of 31 activists who were detained in connection with the Shan National Day "meeting" in Taunggyi on 7 February, 15 are still languishing in custody, according to Shan sources on the border:

16 including Khun Pang, Kyaw Win Inn a.k.a Hso Nawng, Sai Tawng, U Thu Way, Daw Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein and her daughter were discharged from their confinement between 4-8 March, but the fate of the rest including Shan party leader Hkun Htun Oo and Shan ceasefire leader Hso Ten remains obscure.

Altogether 36 people had attended the 2-hour meeting, 09:00-11:00, at the ceasefire liaison office in Taunggyi's Okhpo Quarters, organized by U Myint Than "Math", coordinator of the New Generation-Shan State and advisor-designate to the ceasefire group on 7 February. The main speakers were Gen Hso Ten, Khun Pang, Shwe Ohn and Myint Than. "It couldn't really be called a meeting," said an attendee, "because we did not discuss anything. It was rather a social gathering where we listened to the speeches of the Shan elders."

"Perhaps Rangoon believes destroying the Shans will lead to the collapse of the non-Burman ethnic cohesion," commented a ceasefire officer.

Update

S.H.A.N. was able to add up to only 30. An unconfirmed report also gives the name of Khun Sa, former leader of Mong Tai Army, who at present is living under military protection.

U Khun Pang

U Kyaw Win Inn (Hso Nawng)

U Myint Than

Sao Tha Oo

U Ba Thin