Tachilek designated a war zone

Tachilek designated a war zone

Reporter Khamleng

The beleaguered border town of Tachilek and its immediate environs were collectively labeled a war zone by the regional commander recently, said inside sources. 

According to them, Tachilek, the Shan town of 60,000 souls, across Maesai Chiangrai Province, has been, by order of Maj-Gen Thein Sein, Commander, Triangle Region Command with headquarters in Kengtung (163 km north of Tachilek), designated as being "under a state of war" since 12 February, the 54th anniversary of the Panglong Agreement when Shans, Chins, Kachins and Burmese decided to form the present Union of Burma. All units were to be at the highest state of readiness. 

Unconfirmed reports also said the suspension bridge across the Teng River, a tributary of the Salween, in Langkher was blown up by the Shan State Army on 15 February. However, no hostilities are being reported along the border though all the belligerents including the Shans are beefing up their defenses. 

Maj-Gen Maung Bo, Commander, Eastern Region Command with headquarters in Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State, was also reported to have told all the ceasefire groups during the Panglong anniversary. "It's time we unite against foreign threat and end our mutual distrust." 

He also urged the United Wa State Army, Pa-O National Army and ex-Mong Tai Army militia force of Mahaja of Homong to be ready to defend "our motherland against Thai aggressors."

One Thai observer noted that Rangoon had been exhorting people to be prepared for war with Thailand within the last few years. "It is therefore hard to believe what happens at Maesai is not a premeditated conflict," he said. 

According to the New Light of Myanmar, 3 February, the groups that "returned to the legal fold and made peace with the government" were -

1. Myanmar National Democracy Alliance (Kokang) (31.3.89)

2. Myanmar National Solidarity Party (Wa) (5.9.89)

3. National Democracy Alliance Committee (Shan/Akha) (30.6.89)

4. Shan State Army "North" (10.11.89)

5. New Democratic Army (Kachin) (15.12.89)

6. Kachin Defence Army (1.11.91)

7. Palaung State Liberation Army (21.4.91)

8. Pa-O National Organization (18.2.92)

9. Kayan National Defence Guard (27.2.92)

10. Kachin Independence Organization (24.2.94)

11. Kayan Pyithit Party (26.7.94)

12. Shan State Nationalities People's Liberation Organization (9.10.94)

13. (A) Kayinni National Progressive Party (21.3.95)
    (B) Kayinni National People's Liberation Front (9.5.94)

14. New Mon State Party (29.6.95)

15. Loimaw (MTA) Group (5.1.96)

16. Burma Communist Party (BCP) Rakhine State (4.6.97)

17. (A) Democratic Kayin Buddhist Organization (DKBO) (21.12.94)
    (B) KNU splinter Brigade (Kya-in Seikkyi U Saw Tha Mu He group) (24.2.97)
    (C) KNU splinter group (Phado Aung San group) (17.4.98)
    (D) KNU splinter group (Saw Phe Re Mo group) (8.11.97)

The Shan State National Army, for some reason, is not counted although the Karenni National Progress Party whose truce has long since ended is still on the list.