Burma army road-building project could cause conflict: SSPP/SSA
The Shan State Progress Party/ Shan State Army
(SSPP/SSA) say it is worried about a resumption of hostilities as the Burmese
army reinforces its troop strength in the area as part of a plan to reconstruct
roads.
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| A map shows the location where the road will be built. |
According to an official from SSPP/SSA who spoke under
condition of anonymity, Shan army representatives met yesterday with Brig-Gen Htet
Htun, the head of Central Eastern Command, which is based in Kholam Township,
Shan State. The sides discussed the road construction in SSPP/SSA territory, he
said, adding that the commander said he will order troops into their areas of control
whether the Shan army agrees or not.
“We, the SSPP/SSA, has been
active in these areas before we signed a ceasefire agreement with the Tatmadaw
[Burmese armed forces] in 1989,” he said. “This road was built by us after
signing that ceasefire with them.
“They said that they would
reinforce soldiers in our areas whether we agree to it or not. This could cause
a conflict,” he told Shan Herald. “In 2011-12, they also attacked us.
“The way they are acting will
disrupt the planned by-election in this area.”
This road in question is
located 10 miles north of Monghsu Township between Loi Nai and Loi Kyo
mountains.
According to a source close to
Central Eastern Command, Brig-Gen Htet Htun is expert in this region. He was previously head of Military
Operations Command (MOC) No 2 which is
stationed in southern Shan State's Mong Nong Township. The source said the
brigadier-general has long held a strategic plan to build this road even before
clashes broke out in 2011.
“He wants to start building it now,
because the time is right,” said the source.
During the general election last
year, the Burmese armed forces launched heavy offensives against the SSPP/SSA,
including assaults on its Wan Hai Headquarters in Kesi Township.
The SSPP/SSA, or Shan State
Army-North, is a member of the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a
bloc comprising 12 ethnic armed organizations that opted not to sign the
nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) with the Thein Sein government on October
15, 2015.
By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
Tags: News, War
