Army boosts troops in ethnic-controlled areas

Army boosts troops in ethnic-controlled areas

Published on Sunday, 28 April 2013 19:36

The current clashes between the government army and Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) were the result of expansion of government troops in the ethnic-controlled areas, according to the joint statement of Wanhai issued on April 25.

The government is building peace while boosting its troops in the ethnic-controlled areas. The clashes took place several times due to misunderstanding and suspicions between the government and the ethnic. The ethnic demanded an immediate cease-fire, stated in the joint statement.

Moreover, the ethnic believed that a sustainable peace should be made by a solution from the table of political dialogue, instead of addressing the conflicts by force. Releasing political prisoners helps national reconciliation and national unity. The ethnic demanded further release of the remaining political prisoners, according to the statement.

Although peace talks are going on after the cease-fire between the government and ethnic armed groups in Shan State, the clashes are breaking out from time to time. The clashes in the north of Shan State are likely to spread to all parts of the state, an intelligence officer who asked not to be named from Wanhai Headquarter of SSPP/SSA said.

As the ethnic armed groups frequently clashed with the government army in Shan State, there has been an increase in internally displaced persons (IDPs). News of the government army's offensive against the ethnic group is now being circulated, the intelligence officer added.

The SSPP/SSA must deploy their troops in the designated places according to the agreement of the government and the SSPP/SSA. News of the government move to have the SSPP/SSA troops withdrawal is spreading. But both sides have no authority to say the withdrawal of the troops according to the agreement, the sources said.

The government army had made a decision to launch operations in the entire Shan State, according to the intelligence news. "All our troops should gather at Wanhai headquarter. It is impossible to have all troops in one place due to short supply. If our troops remain unmoved, it is like to break out clashes", an intelligence officer who asked not to be named from SSA Wanhai headquarter said.

Chairman Khun Tun Oo of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) said that several clashes broke out between the government army and the SSPP/SSA and RCSS/SSA following the ceasefire.

"I suppose that the President would be unable to address that issue. If the government ordered the ethnic to move out from their base, they would not tolerate.  The government will Asean chairmanship next year and hold general elections in 2015. If the clashes go on, they will hurt the image of the country. It is impossible to launch operations to eliminate the ethnic armed groups. A solution should be sought from the table of peace talks," he said.

The clashes broke out in Tanyan one on March 28 and another on April 15. Despite the issuance of the statements by the ethnic groups, the Ministry of Defence has been still silent.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/04/28/army-boosts-troops-in-ethnic-controlled-areas/