Ceasefire groups pressured to surrender within 2009

^{3 September 2008
By Hseng Khio Fah}

On 20 August, the new Commander of Eastern Region Command and Chairman of Shan State South Peace and Development Council, Maj-Gen Ya Pyae called on the local public  in Ho Mong to say that all  armed groups including local militia groups must surrender a year before the 2010 election.

 “All ceasefire and local militia forces must surrender within 2009. If not, the groups can also join Shan State Army (SSA) led by Col Yawd Serk,” a local villager quoted him as saying.

Maha Ja, Chairman of Shan State South Company (SSS) and leader of  the Homong militia accompanied the commander to his mountain outposts # 18  and 20, opposite Loi Wa Her, the main base of anti-junta Wa National Army(WNA) .

The commander reportedly told him that those outposts would be replaced with the Tamadaw units. “Maha Ja had nothing to say,” said a source.

There was a rumor that the Burma Army suspected Maha Ja group of having contacts with the anti-junta groups WNA and Shan State Army-South (SSA).

Likewise, on 24 August, Chairman of Shan State (North) Peace and Development Council and Commander of North-Eastern Region Command Maj-Gen Aung Than Htut called on the officers from local militias from Mong Yaw, Wan Pang, Mong Ha and Kachin Defense Army  and ordered to recruit people for providing necessary security.

“The militias need to be ready for joint operations with the army if the SSA-S comes to the north,” the commander was quoted as saying.

On 29 August, the Commander of Kengtung-based Triangle Region Command, Maj-Gen Kyaw Phyo meeting with the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), known officially as Shan State Special Region #4 led by Sai Leun, warned that all ceasefire groups and local armed groups must abide by the Tamadaw’s policy within 2009, according to the order from the top.