Burma Army breaks ceasefire in Lashio township

Source Panglong, 8 June

It is reported that new clashes between Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Burma Army have ruthlessly erupted when the units of the Burma Army launched a new attack on the former temporary bases in the Lashio township, northern Shan State.

"The units of the Burma Army that carried out the attacks this morning included a battalion from Lawkkai, Infantry Battalion (IB) 68, IB41 from Lashio and other battalions, totaling over 200-strong soldiers," said a villager from Hobeuk in Lashio township.

The attack took place at SSPP/SSA Battalion 851 located on Loipek ranges north-east of Hobeuk tract in Lashio. The Burma Army reportedly broke the Tangyan Agreement and began attacks on SSA this Saturday morning, which lasted from 8.00 – 11.00 am. The casualties from the Burmese side are still unknown, but SSA suffered 3 injuries, said Maj Sai La, SSPP/SSA spokesperson.

"Now our representatives from the Lahio liaison office are meeting with the Burma Army Lashio regional command. They responded by saying, we started the shooting. In fact the units of the Burma Army are intentionally advancing to carry out the attack. As they [the Burma Army] do not care for the terms of a truce, we are prepared and are alert all the time," Maj Sai La told SHAN.

It has also been reported that Sai Kawng and Sai Sang Pao, who are the 2 representatives for the SSPP/SSA liaison office from Wan Pangkham, Mong Yen tract in Namtu township, have been arrested by the government army LIB501 since 5 June at noon. They were reportedly being beaten and at the time of reporting, they have not been released. There is no news about them; we have requested that the Lashio regional commander release them, said SSPP/SSA spokesperson.

Yesterday morning from 9.00 until noon, a similar incident took place at SSPP/SSA on Loi Khe base region in Monghsu township. From a distance, the Burma Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 515 under the control of Military Operations Command #2, was shelling with 60mm heavy guns. As none of the shells landed on the SSA base, no retaliation from our side occurred, said a Shan commander who oversees the units in the region.

On 11 May 2013 it has been reported that government Union Peacemaking Working Committee (UPWC) headed by the deputy president U Thein Zaw and the SSPP/SSA deputy president Maj-Gen Khurtai met in Tangyan. The Tangyan Agreement in which both sides have singed includes, adherence to the terms of the truce and that problems will not be resolved by military means, but by peace