The Burmese military junta has set 12 May as yet another deadline for the strongest faction, the First Brigade of the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’, which refused to become a Burmese Army-controlled home guard force, to reconsider its negative response, latest reports say.

The extension was given on 9 May by Colonel Chit Oo, Deputy Commander of the Eastern Region Command two days after their meeting in Kunhing Township, where the Shan State Army (SSA) North’s 7th brigade is based.

On 7 May, some representatives of the faction were summoned to Kunhing for a meeting with Colonel Chit Oo.  The SSA representatives were identified as Lt-Gen Khurh Tai, Captain Kyaw Hla and Second-Lt Aung Ba, said a source from the First Brigade.

“You can allow only some of your men, at least about 20 to 30, to become members of the home guard force, if you are not ready to transform all,” Colonel Chit Oo was said to have mentioned during the meeting.

They were told to inform its leader to reconsider its response as the junta officials are planning to visit the areas surrounding the faction’s base in Kehsi Township on 11 May, the source said.

If the faction still fails to comply by the deadline, the military junta will not be responsible for any hostilities that may breakout, a source from the First Brigade reportedly said.

Maj-Gen Pang Fa, Commander of the First Brigade said his advance message would be that its response remains unchanged.

“We will never betray our people and allies because we can only survive with their support,” Pang Fa was quoted as saying. “Therefore, our response on 12 May will only be No.”

In addition he said, its faction on the other hand will continue communicating with the 3rd and 7th brigades that had recently accepted to transform to home guard force.

Anyhow, the faction said it has also prepared all its forces, supplies and weapons to defend itself from the Burmese Army’s onslaught.