Day: March 6, 2013
BURMA MYANMAR: 14 military trucks arrived in Homong, opposite Maehongson, on 3 March
14 military trucks arrived in Homong, opposite Maehongson, on 3 March. Since then an unspecified number of 105 mm howitzers have been placed at Nawng Leng, regarded as the gateway to Loi Taileng base of Shan State Army (SSA) ‘South’ and the Sankang base of United Wa State Army (UWSA)’s 778th Brigade. The move followed 19 February visit by army commander Soe Win, Shan State special operations commander Aung Than Tut and two regional commanders. The Homong command later demanded the SSA withdraw its outposts in Homong and Monghta sub-townships. The latter had refused saying the setting up of its outposts was in line with the second ceasefire agreement signed in January 2012. Locals meanwhile say the Burma Army move might be against either the SSA or the UWSA. (Taifreedom)
Restoration Council of Shan State / Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) spokesman Lao Hseng says although fighting has stopped on the motorways and towns, it is still going on in the countryside. “It’s who sees first, shoot first situation,” he tells SHAN. The Burma Army had also demanded that it withdraw its base in Monghta and two other bases in Homong by the end of February. The SSA so far has not moved. On the brighter side, it has set up liaison offices in several major towns and small commercial enterprises. (SHAN)
Laiza peace walk continues after three members hospitalised in Kachin
credit EMG 5.march
Three members of the peace group walking from Yangon to Kachin State’s Laiza were hospitalised in the state’s capital, Myitkyina, earlier this week, but the rest of the 128-strong group continued.
The three were sent to hospital after being unable to continue walking, about 100 kilometres short of the capital. One suffered a hernia, a second had a gastric infection and a third, a monk, could no longer walk with the aid of crutches as his swollen ankle had become inflamed. A doctor had told the monk a week ago to stop walking and rest his ankle, but he persisted with the aid of crutches, a leader of the group said.
Changes in weather were causing some people to get sick, especially after the group reached Nabar in Kachin State, the peace walk leader said. However, he added that members of the group were getting accustomed to the cooler temperature in Kachin State and were doing better.
The march began on January 21 when fighting between government and rebel troops were near its peak. About 60 people left Yangon for the nearly 1,300 kilometre walk to Laiza. Their number doubled soon after.
The group comprises members of different nationalities and religions. They are on the final section of the walk which will end at a refugee camp near the headquarters of the Kachin Independence Organisation and could arrive at their destination next week.
democracy for burma 
You must be logged in to post a comment.