The Shan State Progress Party / Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) held the celebration of the 54th Anniversary of Shan Resistance Day on 21 May at its main headquarters in Wanhai, Kehsi township, southern Shan State.

In the opening ceremony, Col Khun Hseng said that since Burma gained independent from British until today, Shan State has been suffering continuingly and the economy, health, education, natural resources and political situation of Shan State have worsened. At the end, the people of Shan State have to pay the prize.

SSPP/SSA leaders Lt-Gen Hso Ten, Maj-Gen Kherh Tai and Col Khun Hseng led the ceremony. More than 800 people including SSA/SSPP army members and local residents came to the event, said Lung Sai Kham, a local resident who participated in the event.

Burma gained independent from British after General Aung San and ethnic leaders signed the Panglong agreement in 1947 in Panglong, Shan State. In the 1947 constitution, the off shoot of the agreement, ethnic States have the right to secede after 10 years if they no longer wish to stay with Burma.

However, in 1952, Burma army came into Shan State ostensibly to help Shans to drive out the Kuomintang, known as White Chinese Army. Since then the Burma army has refused leave Shan State.

After Shan State was occupied by the Burma army, a group of Shan youths led by Sao Noi aka Saw Yan Ta founded the first Shan State Army called Noom Serk Harn on 21 May 1958.