Uncertainty of NCA leaves 10,000 in limbo: SNLD member
At least 10,000 people cannot go back to their homes
due to the uncertain climate caused by the so-called Nationwide Ceasefire
Agreement (NCA), according a leading member of the Shan Nationalities League
for Democracy (SNLD).
Sai Than Maung, a representative of
SNLD in Kyaukme Township, said most are rural villagers who are
currently staying with relatives in the city of Kyaukme. However, he said, others
have left their homes behind to seek employment in Thailand or China.
“Villagers are
fearful of returning to their homes because of the uncertainty of the NCA,” he
told Shan Herald. “In Tawsarng, for example, there are only Ta’ang [Ta’ang
National Liberation Army] and Kachin [Kachin Independence Army] troops on
patrol. The RCSS [Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army] and
government troops cannot access that area.”
“In some villages, each house left one
person behind to look after their property,” Sai Than Maung said. “But others
left behind empty villages.”
He added that some 200 high school students are
currently sheltering at local temples so that they can attend the school. In
addition, some 2,000 children are being housed with their families.
A senior monk from Aye Metha temple
in Kyaukme Township, who wished to remain anonymous, told Shan Herald that some
villagers have moved out from the temple to find jobs. But, some of them are
still at the temple.
He said that they could not go back
homes because their houses were burnt down.
Fighting between
the TNLA and RCSS/SSA first
broke out in November last year, only a month after the government led by former
President Thein Sein signed the NCA with eight armed groups. Although the RCSS/SSA
was among the signatories, the TNLA was excluded from peace talks. The Ta’ang
or Palaung militia was also absent from last week’s Union Peace Conference,
hosted by Burma’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, at which some 750 delegates
were present, including representatives of most ethnic armed groups.
Sai Than Maung said that he was
optimistic the Union Peace Conference, informally dubbed the “21st
Century Panglong Conference,” would bring positive change to the country.
“We hope that positive things come
from the Union Peace Conference,” he said. “However, the TNLA was not invited
to participate, so things are still the same [on that issue].”
He alleged that the TNLA continues
to collect taxes in areas under its control, and that most common people are
afraid to go back to areas under its sphere of influence.
“People suffer as fighting
continues,” he said.
Tags: Human Rights, News
