Pa-O(PNFC) secretary says the Junta blocks aid to ethnic regions, Hsi Hseng township southern Shan State
The Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC) has admitted that the shooting of the ASEAN diplomatic convoy, which was en route to the PNLO liaison office in Hsi Hseng township in southern Shan State to aid the internally displaced persons (IDPs), was carried out by the local militia group PNO.
On May 7, a convoy comprising Indonesian and Singaporean diplomats, as well as officials from the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), who had arrived to provide assistance to the internally displaced persons (IDPs), was targeted by gunfire. The incident occurred in Nangaw village, approximately 5 miles before reaching Hsi Hseng township.
PNFC Secretary (2) Khun Wai Htoo in his conversation with Kantarawaddy Times revealed that
"The area in question is under the control of the local militia organization PNO, which operates under the authority of the Military Council. The ambush was carried out by this militia group. Given that the PNO is the sole presence in that particular area, the answer is obvious and clear.”
Eyewitnesses from the local community in the vicinity of the shooting incident have also confirmed that a local militia organization namely the PNO, was responsible for the attack. These eyewitnesses have pointed out the presence of PNO battalions, military bases, and security checkpoints in close proximity to the location where the shooting took place.
He also added that considering the terrain and geographical features of the area, it is highly unlikely for any other ethnic revolutionary organizations to have the opportunity to infiltrate and conduct an ambush in that particular location.
Gunshots were reported in the vicinity of Nangaw village, located north of Hsi Hseng township in southern Shan State. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as a result of the incident. The convoy consisted of two officials from the Indonesian Embassy, two officials from the Singapore Embassy, officials from the AHA Center office, and officials from the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO). Following the incident, condemnation of the shooting came from the United States, Indonesia, and Singapore.
According to comments made by PNFC Secretary (2) Khun Wai Htoo, he stated that the PNFC issued a statement on May 11 condemning the shooting incident. Furthermore, he expressed the belief that the Military Council is unwilling to provide the required humanitarian aid to the ethnic areas.
"This shooting incident has had a severe impact on the vital humanitarian aid in our ethnic region, causing significant hindrance. The Military Council and its allies exploit humanitarian aid as a deliberate strategy to create divisions among ethnic revolutionary forces. Their manipulation of the humanitarian aid issue is aimed at causing trouble for revolutionary organizations, both within the ASEAN front and the global political arena, ultimately seeking to gain an advantage and score points."
The Military Council has accused terrorists of being responsible for the shooting incident.
The National Unity Government (NUG) has stated that the shooting incident was not carried out by the affiliated PDFs or allied forces. The NUG has initiated an investigation into the incident and has assured that the results will be made public in a transparent manner.
The Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC) has expressed its belief that the shooting of the ASEAN convoy was a deliberate attempt to undermine the assistance plan for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and conceal the true situation on the ground, aiming to prevent ASEAN countries from obtaining accurate knowledge about the prevailing conditions in the area.
In response to the shooting incident, the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) declared on May 11 that the regional humanitarian aid processes, conducted in collaboration with international donors and local authorities, would not be halted as a result of the incident. The PNLO affirmed its commitment to continue its efforts in accordance with the provisions outlined in the National Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) treaty.
