Former communist Shan,Sai Ya aka Sai Maung Hla, surrenders to junta
Sai Ya aka Sai Maung Hla, a former member of Communist Party of Burma (CPB) has reportedly surrendered weapons to the ruling military junta in Shan State South’s Loilem Township today with 40 other followers, according to local sources.
The team was said to have claimed themselves as a faction of anti-Naypyitaw Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’’s, a ceremony attendee said. “Their clothes also had SSA insignias.”
The ceremony was held at Loilem’s football field and was attended by about 3,000 people including junta civil servants.
Brig-Gen San Oo, Commander of Eastern Region Command himself welcomed the team and has given the team some money and some clothes, according to the participants.
Lao Ya aka Sai Ya joined Pu Hein Kanna, a commander of the now defunct Shan State National Army’s Brigade No.275, after the CPB leadership was overthrown by Kokang and Wa in 1989. A few years later, he was said to had killed two Burmese officers over drug arguments and had gone back to the armed struggle.”
“Maha Kya, a former Mong Tai Army (MTA) commander, was reported to be the facilitator. We heard that his [Sai Ya] followers were just people without jobs. It is just a charade,” said a source close to junta authorities in Loilem.
“I had several times invited him to Loi Taileng since his return,” Lt-Gen Yawdserk, the SSA South leader said. “But he declined, choosing instead to stay in a Palaung village until his departure over a month ago. He didn’t hold any office of responsibility in the SSA.”
shanland news


