Regional commander gives instructions to strengthen security around Shan army

Thursday, 09 September 2010 16:50 Hseng Khio Fah .Yet again Burma Army’s security forces based in areas surrounding main base of the Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’’s First Brigade is soaring after the newly promoted regional commander of the Northeastern Region Command, issued orders to tighten security and to secure all pathways to the SSA bases, according to sources from the Sino-Burma border.

However, the reason for Burma Army’s reinforcement is not clear, said a source.

The instructions passed on 7 September, when Brig-Gen Aung Kyaw Zaw, the new commander of the Northeastern Region Command (he succeeded former commander Aung Than Htut in late August) and Tangyan area commander Colonel Khaing Zaw, visited their strongest base, Loi Panglong, northwest of the Wa headquarters Panghsang, and west of Manghseng.

“They later went to inspect Takawng-at Bridge on the Salween, west of Tangyan,” the source said.

Afterwards, the two continued inspection battalions and hospital in Mongkao, Shan State North’s Tangyan township, facing the SSA ‘North’’s Brigade No 1 and ordered all local militia units to safeguard all roads and bridges to the SSA and areas along the Salween River in cooperation with Burma Army troops.

Ja Hey’s unit was assigned to provide security at Nampang bridge, located between the Wa’s capital Panghsang and the Burma Army controlled town of Tangyan, 115 miles west of Panghsang. Another militia unit of Ja Nu was ordered to safeguard the motor road between Namlao and Mongkao, said a villager in Mongkao.

Since the units’ arrivals, reports of abuses by the units have been reported in nearby villages everyday, a local villager from Wankawngmu said.

“We were ordered to provide them rice and meat everyday,” she said.

Every people travelling in the areas have also been checked and people who were suspected as SSA fighters were detained by the Burma Army, another a businessman from Lashio said. “There were 5 people so far arrested by the Burma Army soldiers on the way to Mongyai (west of Tangyan).”

Mongyai is located in the north of the First Brigade main bases.

Tensions along the border with ceasefire groups are tense during these days despite Naypyitaw’s first priority is to hold the general elections before year’s end and China’s request to maintain regional stability.

Currently, Chairman of State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) Senior General Than Shwe is in Beijing. Meeting him yesterday, China’s President Hu Jintao says he “understands and supports Myanmar government’s efforts to promote ethnic reconciliation.” Than Shwe, in turn, was reported as saying, “Maintaining peace and stability on the border is of utmost importance to both countries,” according to Reuters.