Lt-Gen Yawd Serk and a group of his followers were greeted by the residents of Kengtung and Tachileik on the way returning to Loi Tai Leng, the Headquarter of Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) from Mongla, according to SHAN sources reported from Tachileik.

RCSS/SSA leader Sao Yawd Serk and his group in Mongla

On arriving to Kengtung more than 300 of local residents greeted the group. Among them are local residents, Shan Literature and Culture Committee in Kengtung which is led by Sai Hseng Leng, youth groups, senior politicians, political parties such as Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP), National League for Democracy (NLD) and others ethnic political parties.

During the lunch party, Sao Yawd Serk urged the local residents to work together with RCSS/SSA. “We have to work together for our Shan State development. Please study more about politics and don’t hesitate to register a citizen card”, he told the people who came to join the dinner party, a SHAN reporter Sai Arntai reported.

RCSS/SSA leader stressed that drug is one of the biggest issues in Shan State. "We want to eradicate drugs in Shan State. We consider the drug problem the same as political problem. Therefore, we agree to sign a ceasefire agreement with the government", he said.

Earlier, a few days before the second State level peace talks begin in Kengtung, Sao Yawd Serk has made an announcement that it will talk with government to eradicate drugs in Shan State. He said the drug will eliminate new generation in Shan State and therefore, the drug problem has to be highlighted as an important issue.

Follow by the lunch party in Kengtung, Gen Sao Pong Khur made a speech by greeting the residents with a rare occasional lunch party with local people, on 21st May 2012, which is the 54th Anniversary of Shan Resistance Day.

The group headed to Tachileik after they gave a respect to elderly people the community.

When the group arrives in Tachileik, more than 100 residents including community organizations and political parties in Tachileik greeted the group and hosted dinner party in Punt Kham (Golden Bee) restaurant.

On 19 May, RCSS/SSA has signed 12 points agreement with Naypyitaw on the second State level peace talks in Kengtung.

Sao Yawd Serk shake hands with Mongla’s greeting group

Kengtung Shan Literature and Culture Committee waiting to greet RCSS/SSA

Residents of Kengtung greeting RCSS/SSA group

Sao Yawd Serk shaking hands with Kengtung youths

At lunch party in Kengtung

Sao Yawd Serk and his group arriving in Tachileik

Tachileik residents greeting RCSS/SSA with Shan traditional dance