Junta continues deploying more forces to ceasefire regions

Since ethnic ceasefire groups had rejected the Napyitaw’s latest deadline, the junta military has contined deploying more forces, food supplies and weapons to the ceasefire areas in Shan State North, especially targeting to the United Wa State Army (UWSA) controlled areas, according to latest reports from the Sino-Burma border.

Wa fighters

Some 8 trucks of Light Infantry Division (LID) # 55 were deployed to Monghsu and Ta Weun Nawng Salween crossing, southwest of the Wa capital Panghsang on 11 March. The number of soldiers was not less than 200, a local source from Mongnawng said.

On the same day, a battalion based in Mongpiang was reported moving across the Namkha and taking position at Mawfah, southwest of Panghsang. “The battalion carried cable and heavy weapons with them,” the source said.

Sources informed that the Burma Army’s food supplies and weapons were sent mainly to Loi Panglong base, northwest of Panghsang, and to Manghseng base, in the west.

Now, the Burma Army forces are taking positions at all bases facing the Wa capital Panghsang: LID # 55 in the southwest and in the south, LID# 33 (over 600 men) and #77 (up to 2,000 men) in the south. Another LID #99 was reported to have arrived in Mandalay, poised to move to the northeast.

Meanwhile, reports of the Wa’s preparation for war was also received. The group has been rebuilding bunkers, trenches and more forces, sources close to the Wa leadership said.

The Wa authorities have reportedly arrested over 20 Burmans who have been working in their controlled areas. “They were suspected of being Burma Army’s spies. Among them are some novices and monks or spies disguised as novices and monks,” the source said.

The NGO programs in the areas have also been decreasing compared to the previous period.

A source said, “It was due to increased security checks by both sides [the Burma army and the Wa], concerns of safety and funds being cut off.”

At the end of February, the junta military set 10 March as another deadline for the armed groups that are still refusing to give their response to the Naypyitaw’s Border Guard Force program. It also warned the groups that failure to respond by the deadline would lead to war and declaration as illegal organizations by 15 March.

Nevertheless, the Wa and its allies continued to stick to their guns. Until their autonomy is recognized, they would not accept the program without conditions.

10 March was the 4th and latest deadline set by Naypyitaw. The first one was in October 2009, the second in December 2009 and the third in February 2010.

The ceasefire groups that have continued to oppose the BGF program are UWSA, Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’, National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) better known as Mongla group and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Source :http://shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2962:junta-continues-deploying-more-forces-to-ceasefire-regions-&catid=86:war&Itemid=284