Wa flee in fear of junta attack

Wa flee to jungle along the Thai-Burma border in fear of military attack by the Burmese Army, for refusing to accept Naypitaw’s ‘Border Guard Force’ program which has reached the setup deadline on 22 April.

Wa villagers and some families members of the southern based United Wa State Army (UWSA), the 171 Military Regions based along the Thai-Burma border, have been fleeing to jungle and some are entering into Thai's border towns since last week, according to a local sources from Nakawngmu in southern Shan State's Mongton township, , opposite Chiangmai's Chiangdao district.

The UWSA's 171 Military Region comprises five brigades, spreading along the Mongton and Tachilek townships in southern Shan State, opposite to Maehongson, Chiangmai and Chiangrai of Thailand.

"They are fleeing during the night, they are moving in the dark and no one is allowed to use the light", said a local villager from Nakawngmu in Mongton township opposite to Chiangdao district.

Most local residents in Mongton and Tachilek believe that the Wa’s fleeing to the jungle and Thai’s border is related to the setup deadline from Naypitaw, for the ceasefire groups to response their agreement on whether they will transform to the border guard force.

But there is no sign of any Burmese military deployment along the Wa's areas. "There are no significant military actions from the Burmese Army" said a villager.

A few days ago, Maj-Gen Kyaw Phyoe, commander of Golden Triangle Region Command has ordered the Wa officers from the region to meet him and Lt-Gen Ye Myint, chief of Military Affairs Security (MAS) in Monghsat, said another villager from Pongpakhem.

But the top ranked Wa officers are not planning meet the Burmese military, “they are not going to meet the Burmese military commanders. They will let their representatives to meet them” said a villager.

The Naypitaw has announced on earthy this month that if ceasefires groups do not response to regarding the agreement or disagreement on the BGF program, they will automatically be recognised as the outlaw groups.

But the Panghsang, from the headquarters of UWSA have said there would be no further response from them. UWSA had already sent its latest 8 point counterproposals on 9 April, but was turned down by the junta.

Similarly, other ceasefire groups such as National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) known as Mongla group, Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Shan State Army (SSA) ‘North’ are also have given the same response.

Follow by the Naypitaw announcement on BGF program, ceasefires groups have become more united in confronting toward the Burmese military.

In the mean time, Mongla is reinforcing more troops and keep preparing supplies and foods at its bases, said a local source.

On 18 April, Col Than Htut Thein, Staff Officer Grade 1, of the Triangle Region Command has met the Mongla officers over the BGF program. Mongla was reported to have told the Burma Army officers that it would only submit its previous 6 point proposal, which was turned down by Naypyitaw. The group would have no response, if it would be turned down again, according to an informed source who asked not to be named.

No further details were reported.

Ceasefires groups have only two choices, accept or refuse the BGF program said a border analyst from the Sino-Burma border who requested to remain in anonymous.

But he said that Burmese military may not attack on ceasefires groups. “The Burmese junta may not attack because it needs to prepare for the forthcoming elections. The main point is it doesn’t want to make internationals’ attention”.

Another reason of its reluctant to attack is that it may consider its neighbour country China. Recently, China has requested that it wants its border security stability.

Source :http://shanland.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3010:wa-flee-in-fear-of-junta-attack&catid=86:war&Itemid=284