Ceasefire groups beef up security

8 September 2008

Politics
Ceasefire groups beef up security
By Hseng Khio Fah

While the Burmese military have been instructing its militia forces to expand, some ceasefire groups such as Shan State Army (SSA) North and the United Wa State Army (UWSA) have also been beefy up their security after the May 10 referendum, according to informed sources from central Shan State.

Since early August, the Shan State Army (SSA) North’s First Brigade has placed more security at its main base in Wanhai, Kehsi township.

“There are a lot of Shan soldiers wearing red scarfs around the village,” said a trader whose truck runs between Taunggyi and Monghsu.

“Whenever we pass through the village, we have to show our IDcards at the gate and obtain gate passes.”

“Last week, the First Brigade Deputy Commander of the SSA-N, Lt-Col Khurh Tai was summoned by the Mongnawng-based Military Operations Command # 2 Commander to Taunggyi for discussion, according to an SSA source.

“The SSA-N sent 8 trucks to provide security for Sao Khurh Tai,”

There has been no information about what was discussed however.

Likewise, the National Democratic Alliance Army-Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) and the UWSA have placed more troops in their security forces in Panghsang and Mongla.

Trenches and bunkers are also being built along the borders of their domains.

Since August, regional commanders in Shan State have been making field troops to border towns and instructed their regular and militia units to increase their strengths.