Since ethnic ceasefire groups have rejected Napyitaw’s latest deadline, the Burmese Army has continued deploying more forces, food supplies and weapons to the ceasefire areas in Shan State North, especially targeting the United Wa State Army (UWSA) controlled areas, according to latest reports from the Sino-Burma border.
About eight trucks of the Light Infantry Division (LID) # 55 were deployed in Monghsu and Ta Weun Nawng Salween crossing, southwest of the Wa capital Panghsang on 11 March. The number of soldiers was not less than 200, a local source from Mongnawng said.
On the same day, a battalion based in Mongpiang was reported moving across the Namkha and taking up position at Mawfah, southwest of Panghsang. “The battalion carried cable and heavy weapons with them,” the source said.
Sources said that the Burmese Army’s food supplies and weapons were sent mainly to Loi Panglong base, northwest of Panghsang, and to Manghseng base, in the west.
Now, the Burmese Army troops are taking up positions at all bases facing the Wa capital Panghsang: LID # 55 in the southwest and in the south, LID# 33 (over 600 men) and #77 (up to 2,000 men) in the south. Another LID #99 was reported to have arrived in Mandalay, poised to move to the northeast.
Meanwhile, reports of the Wa’s preparation for war were also received. The group has been rebuilding bunkers, trenches and bringing in more forces, sources close to the Wa leadership said.
The Wa authorities have reportedly arrested over 20 Burmans, who have been working in their controlled areas. “They were suspected of being Burmese Army’s spies. Among them are some novices and monks or spies disguised as novices and monks,” the source said.
The NGO programmes in the areas have also been decreasing compared to the previous period.
“It was due to increased security checks by both sides [the Burmese Army and the Wa], concerns of safety and funds being cut off,” a source said
Wa fighters
In the end of February, the junta set 10 March as another deadline for the armed groups that are still refusing to come up with their response to the Naypyitaw’s Border Guard Force programme. It also warned the groups that failure to respond by the deadline would lead to war and their declaration as illegal organizations by 15 March.
Nevertheless, the Wa and its allies continued to stick to their guns. Until their autonomy is recognized, they would not accept the programme without conditions.
March 10 was the fourth and latest deadline set by Naypyitaw. The first was in October 2009, the second in December 2009 and the third in February 2010.
The ceasefire groups that have continued to oppose the BGF programme are UWSA, Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’, National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) better known as Mongla group and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).
