CHIANG MAI-May 7. Burma Military Affairs Security (MAS), formerly known as Military Intelligence, together with police and Burma Army raided the Restoration Council of Shan State’s liaison office in the eastern Shan State capital Keng Tung, on May 6, 2014.

Military Security Affairs,  police and soldiers, numbering about 20 personnel, raided and searched the RCSS’s liaison office, while Sai Soe Mong, the liaison officer in Keng Tung, was summoned to the office of MAS.

Sai Soe Mong, the liaison officer in Keng Tung said: “I was summoned to the MAS’s office. When I was there, they (MAS, police and soldiers) raided and searched my office. I requested to leave, but I was not allowed to.”

Sai Soe Mong was allowed to leave after 4 hours at the MAS office, when the raid team had finished their mission.
“Such action could affect our trust. In fact, if they would like to investigate, they should give a warrant and inform us. Now, the police, the spies (MAS) and soldiers raided our office while we were building peace. We should solve the matter peacefully and politely,” said the RCSS/SSA liaison officer.

He added: “According to our Shan culture, we take off our shoes before entering a house, but Burma Army did not listen to us.”

RCSS/SSA has opened 6 liaison offices across Shan State after it reached a ceasefire with Naypyitaw in late 2011.