New Delhi – The ruling Burmese military junta has significantly increased the presence of troops in Shan State to intensify security before it holds the referendum on the draft constitution in May, ethnic Shan rebels said.
The spokesperson of the Shan State Army (South), Sai Loa Seng, said they have exchanged fire with the Burmese Army at least thrice in March alone, when they bumped into each other.
"This month alone, we have clashed thrice with the Burmese troops and exchanged gun fire. But there were no casualties on either side except for one Burmese Army Major," Sai Lao Seng told Mizzima over telephone.
The SSA spokesperson said it was rare for the SSA and the Burmese Army to meet unintentionally, without launching an operation. This is a sign that the Burmese Army is increasing its presence in Shan state.
"In each of our encounters, there were about 60 to 100 soldiers on their side, and it does not seem like they are into any major offensive targeting us," Sai Lao Seng said.
He added that the Burmese soldiers seemed more like providing security to officials who have come to Shan state for registering villagers and ceasefire armed groups as a preparation to enable them to vote in the referendum.
Khun Sai, editor of the Thailand based Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N), who is following up on information in Burma's eastern State of Shan, confirmed the clashes between SSA cadres and Burmese troops.
He added that the Burmese Army troops are not on an operation but are providing security to officials, who travel across villages in Shan State to provide national identity cards, with which holders are eligible to cast their votes in the ensuing referendum.
Sources among the armed rebels, who have a ceasefire pact with the junta, said the Burmese authorities have began the process of registering villagers and members of the armed groups, and are providing them with temporary identity cards since the end of February.
In February, the junta enacted a law for the constitution approval process, in which one of the articles mentions that only Burmese citizens, who posses national identity cards, will be eligible to vote.
The junta has announced holding of a referendum in May and general elections in 2010.
