One ceasefire commander has had enough of it

Politics

One ceasefire commander has had enough of it

Ceasefire sources have confirmed the surrender of one of their brigade commanders to the Burma Army yesterday.

Lt-Col Ganna, Commander of Hsenwi-based 11th Brigade, Shan State National Army, formally submitted himself to the Burmese authorities at a ceremony held at Kunkawk village primary school, with 38 men and 21 assorted arms.

"That was only 1 fraction of his brigade that he took with him," argued the source in northern Shan State.

The 11th Brigade is said to be 300-strong.

Two days earlier, he had been summoned to meet unidentified Burmese authorities with whom he held an all day session from morning till evening. He was seen coming back to his home in Zay Oo village under heavy armed escort.

Sources believe he had been blackmailed into submission. According to Democratic Voice of Burma, 8 February 2002, Burmese military columns staged a raid on an unsuspecting SSNA camp in Mongli on 30 January, when they uncovered 20 sacks full of ephedrine powder used in manufacturing yaba methamphetamine stimulants. More than 50 fighters were put under custody. "All of them are still behind bars," said an SSNA source. "It is possible that some of them might have talked."

Encouraged by the success with Ganna, Burmese authorities are now approaching another SSNA commander, Khaymar of the Namtu-Mongyen based 6th Brigade.

The SSNA has 4 brigades: 6th, 11th, 16th and 19th. The 19th Brigade, commanded by Lt-Col Koongkhurh, based in Nampawng, Tangyan township, is said to be the strongest, between 800-1,000.

Its principal ally Shan State Army "North" has 3 brigades: 1st, 3rd and 7th.