Checkpoint at Nampook, Shan State South’s Kehsi township, a location to enter Wanhai, Headquarters of Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), which had been closed due to confrontation between the government and the SSA for almost seven months, is lifted at the end of last month for all travel and trade, local sources reported.
But people going in and out are required to pay tax for bamboos which are to be used for building fences for the army post, said a source.
“People are still being checked and questioned by the soldiers,” the source.
There is a Shan State North’s Nawngkhio Township based Infantry Battalion (IB) # 115 taking position in the area [Nampook] since fighting between SSA and Burma started in March.
Nampook is also a junction, where roads from Mongyai in the north, Kehsi in the southwest and Monghsu in the east meet. It had been blocked by Burma military army before fighting broke out between the SSA and Burma Army on 13 March. All foodstuffs flowing through SSA controlled areas were stopped since.
According to the report by SSPP/SSA, the two sides had clashed 308 times, from 13 March to 31 August. The Burma Army suffered 537 killed and 649 wounded, while the SSA suffered 33 killed and 44 wounded. Tens of thousands became homeless, many of whom also suffered human rights abuses.
The two finally came to meet for the first time on 29 October at Naypyitaw, which was the result of facilitation by Sao Gaifa, leader of SSA’s former sister group the 7th Brigade, now known as Kali People’s Militia Force.
The SSA reportedly requested the government to withdraw all of its troops deployed around its HQ Wanhai before continuing further discussion. No further details have been disclosed to date.
There is as yet no withdrawal of the Burma army troops reported, local sources said.
