Wa Commander

Wa Commander: Yaba trade banned

A Wa commander who took charge of the border area opposite Chiangmai told villagers that dealing in methamphetamines is prohibited, according to sources. 

Maj. Ai Htoon, Commander, Battalion 615, who arrived in Hwe-yao, facing Piangluang village, Wianghaeng District on Friday (1 November) told his audience on Sunday no resident was allowed to deal in Yaba, for which village headmen would also face severe punishments. 

He also warned the local populace against shooting affairs taking place within the village limits, for which village authorities would be punished also. 

Sources told S.H.A.N. they were not really surprised by the Wa commander's speech. "For one thing, they don't want business rivals; for another, they want every villager to take responsibility in seeing that the Shan State Army fighters don't come in and out at will like they did in the past".

On 10 November, Shan troops stormed Hweyao in one of their anti-narcotics raiding missions. The fight that ensued left 2 died 3 wounded among junta soldiers, according to RCSS News, a bulletin of the Shan armed resistance. 

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Hostages 

6 Shan fighters taken by the UWSA on 8 September were transferred to MI-24 in Tachilek on 30 November, said a trader who arrived in Chiangmai yesterday. 

He also said that Sergeant Sawaeng Nokklai from the Thai Army, who was arrested by the UWSA, when he wandered into Mongyawn in the Wa territory a few months ago was also handed over to Maj. Thuta Sway of MI-24 on 25 November. It is not yet known whether he has been turned over to the Thai Army. 

The UWSA had been holding the sergeant hostage in order to exchange with 3 of their men held by the Thais said the source. 

More Wa coming 

About 15 ten-wheelers carrying Wa troops are coming down from Panghsang, the Wa capital, yesterday, said the same source. 

According to him, a Wa leader said Gen. Khin Nyunt charged the UWSA with security of the border with Thailand, when he visited the Wa's southern headquarters of Sarmsao on 15 September. 

"Since the Burmese appeared to be determined on wiping out the Shans by every means available, we thought that it was better for us to move in instead of letting the Burmese go in", he was told.