Two top level regional commanders of Shan State made a trip to the Sino-Burma border to inspect military bases facing ethnic ceasefire groups, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) aka Mongla group, local sources said.
On 23 June, Chairman of Shan State (East) Peace and Development Council Commander of Triangle Region Command Maj-Gen Kyaw Phyo and Commander of Shan and Kayah states, Lt-Gen Min Aung Hlaing together went to the front lines in Shan State East’s Mongyang Township bordering the Wa and Mongla areas.
They met all officers from every rank and privates from both Infantry Battalion (IB) # 279 and IB#281 there for two hours, according to a source close to junta officers.
The two ordered the troops that every base must keep its eyes on every movement of the Wa and Mongla and to report all their activities. In addition, every base has to repair and check all bunkers, trenches and weapons and expand all the bases.
“Every base has to be ready for reinforcements and arms in preparation for possible fighting,” a source quoted one of the commanders as saying. “Another is everyone is responsible for providing security until the elections are over.”
The military junta has been reinforcing troops, weapons, building bunkers and trenches along ethnic ceasefire areas along both the Chinese and Thai borders since early this year. Ceasefire groups have also been doing the same.
Tension between the Burmese Army and the ethnic ceasefire groups, especially with the Wa, have been by far the worst since the groups turned down the Naypyitaw’s Border Guard Force (BGFs) programme, as stipulated in its self-drawn 2008 constitution, which was said to be approved by more than 90 per cent of the people.
Concerning the programme, the junta has set many deadlines for the groups, the latest was 28 April 2010.
According to a junta announcement, any group that failed to convert itself into BGF by the deadline will be automatically dubbed “an unlawful association.”
The UWSA, the MNDAA, the Kachin Independent Army (KIA), the bulk of Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’, the Kayan New Land Party (KNLP) and the New Mon State Party (NMSP) have so far opposed it. All have decided to remain unchanged unless their autonomy demands are met and they will also not support or participate in the general elections.
Nevertheless, the Deputy Commander of the Northeastern Region Command has promised the Wa at their meet on 22 June in Panghsang that the BGF programme will resurface after the new government is formed.
The junta has also been reportedly deploying missiles in ethnic states: Kachin, Shan State and Mandalay division.
