A delegation of Palaung villagers in the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’s First Brigade controlled areas, recently demanded that the group keep upholding its commitments and keep opposing Naypyidaw’s demand to transform itself into a junta run force, according to sources close to the brigade.
The villagers’ visit took place after the 3rd and 7th Brigades consented to become the junta controlled home guard force, he said.
The villagers were from Kehsi Township, where the First brigade’s main base is located.
On May 23, the villagers led by their headmen reportedly visited the group base, Wanhai, and asked Maj-Gen Pang Fa, Chief of Staff of the SSA ‘North’ and Commander of the 1st Brigade, to remain loyal to their cause ‘for our sake.’
The villagers said if the First Brigade decides to follow the two other brigades, the people in the area would have no one to rely on and would have no place to live their lives. A source quoted one of the village headmen as saying, “We would like you [Sao Pang Fa] to stay with us and protect us,” the headman said. “We don’t want to stay under the power of Pyithusit (Burma Army run militia force).”
Sao Pang Fa reportedly comforted the villagers and told them not to worry because he would always be standing by the side of the people. “I promise that I will never leave you behind,” he was quoted as saying.
The SSA North’s First brigade is one of the groups that are still resisting the BGF programme. Others are: the United Wa State Army (UWSA), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA).
A statement released today by the SSA ‘South’ also said that the junta’s programme of forcing all ceasefire groups into its forces would not solve problems of the country. “The ceasefire groups tried to resolve the political problems through political means. This was ignored by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and they are now forcing these ceasefire groups to transform into Home Guard Force (HGF) or Border Guard Force (BGF). Restoration Council of the Shan State (RCSS) opposes the way of doing this by the SPDC.”
On May 25, the First Brigade called an emergency meeting at its main base following the recent easing of pressure by the junta, a source close to the leadership said.
“When there is pressure, you have to be careful,” one senior officer told the meeting. “But when things become quiet, you have to be twice as careful.”
The group held the Shan State Resistance Day which fell on May 21. But at its former Headquarters, Hseng Keow, where its commander in chief Loimao had agreed to the BGF programme, no ceremony was reported.
