The Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’ is reported to have reconvened its meeting to consider Naypyidaw’s demand that requires 900 to 1,000 strong quota to form three homeguard battalions, at its 1st Brigade base in Wanhai, Kehsi township, Shan State South, according to sources from the Sino-Burma border.

The meeting has been held since 28 December coinciding with the religious festival in Kenglern, north of the base. However, it has yet to conclude even though the festival ended on 31 December, said an officer from the base who requested anonymity.  

The earlier meeting lasted 12 days, from 7 to 18 December 2009, held at its Hsengkeow HQ, Hsipaw Township, Shan State North, but was unable to reach any decision acceptable to the leadership.  

“The Wanhai meeting is yet to result in any acceptable decision either,” he said.

At the same time, the deadline for the group also expired at the end of the month.  In early November, the junta military extended the deadline from October to December for the ceasefire groups which still oppose the BGF programme.

The ceasefire armies that remain defiant to the BGF programme are United Wa State Army (UWSA), National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS), Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Kayan New Land Party (KNLP), New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the Shan State Army.

It was reported the Burmese military regime has lifted the deadline for KIA, but there has been no information whether the same move applies to other groups.

Relations between the Wa and the junta military have yet to show signs of improvement.  On 30 December 2009, six  soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) # 327 based in Mongkhark township, north of Kengtung and south of the Wa controlled territory Mongpawk, were reported to have been detained by the Wa fighters for their secret entry into its territory, said a source coming from Mongyang.

The soldiers were believed to have been despatched by their officers to monitor movements of Wa and its ally the Mongla group or NDAA.  

They were later released after the Wa officers ordered them to tell their commanders not to send any more spies or they may not have another excuse to exist as human beings,” according to him.