The National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA) is set to begin its 5-day celebrations tomorrow to mark the 20th anniversary of its ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military junta, according to sources from Mongla, situated 240 kms north of Chiangrai’s Maesai district.
The group, earlier a part of the Communist Party of Burma’s armed forces, joined the mutineers in Kokang and Wa on April 19, 1989. The Kokang Rebellion took place on March 12, 1989 and the Wa on April 17, 1989.
Ceasefire groups, which are under pressure from the ruling military junta to transform themselves into border security forces, are expected to participate in the celebrations.
At least eight of the remaining 13 official ceasefire armies-- New Democratic Army Kachin (NDAK), Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), Kayan New Land Party (KNLP), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) alias Kokang, United Wa State Army (UWSA), Shan State Army (SSA) “North” and National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) alias Mongla, have turned down the junta’s demand to transform into border security forces.
The Kayan National Guard (KNG) and Karenni Nationalities People’s Liberation Front in Kayah State, meanwhile, were reported to have accepted the proposal, according to the border-based Kantarawaddy Times. Regarding the PaO National Organization (PNO), Kachin Defense Army (KDA), and Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), concrete information is yet to emerge about the their stand in the matter.
Security on the Nam Lwe River crossing, between the Burma Army and the NDAA has recently been beefed up. “Passengers outside Kengtung and Mongla are being subjected to tiring questions and also being searched,” a businessman, who is on a visit to Tachilek, opposite Maesai, said.
He is uncertain about how visitors coming from Thailand, would be treated by both the Burma Army and the NDAA during the celebrations.
A military parade and a speech by Sai Leun (63), leader of the NDAA, is on the cards, on June 30, 0800-1030 local time. He would be meeting the delegations from other groups between 14:00-16:00.
According to Col Yawdserk, leader of the anti-Naypyitaw Shan State Army (SSA) “South”, the ruling military junta may drop a hint of its latest position on the ceasefire groups tomorrow, when it sets aflame some of the drugs seized in eastern Shan State, to mark the World’s Anti-Drugs Day.
