Obliging officer penalized

No.02 - 4/2007
2 April 2007
War
 
Obliging officer penalized
 
A Burmese commander who surrendered his arms to the Shan State Army (SSA) South 3 days earlier is facing court martial, according to border sources.
 
The trial of Maj Thein Tun Aung, who commanded the Heavy Weapons company #2 opposite the Loi Gawwan base of the SSA-South, opposite Chiangrai, was presided by none other than Lt-Gen Kyaw Win, who oversees the Burma Army's three regional commands in Shan State, said one source.
 

^{Lt-Col Gawnzuen}

According to the SSA South, Thein Tung Aung and 4 of his men were waylaid by one of its patrol on 30 March while on their way to Tachilek. Taken completely by surprise, the group was forced to give up its weapons: 3 9mm pistols plus 1 G3 and 1 G4 automatic rifles. They were released unharmed by the SSA. "We had no reason to detain them," said a Shan officer. "For one thing, they didn't put up a fight against us. For another, they were soldiers like us who had to obey orders whether they liked them or not."
 
"He may be demoted and discharged from the army, if he's lucky", a Burma Army source was quoted as saying. "But I'm afraid he's in for a fate worse than that."
 
"As for the SSA, we had initially hoped he might get away easily if we didn't publicize it,' said Lt-Col Gawnzuen, Commander of the Kengtung Force based at Loi Gawwan. "Now we know our consideration was plain pointless with the junta."
 
As to whether the event would lead to a punitive operation by the Burma Army, he replied, "I don't know. But we are ready."