Civic organizations and MPs urge for holding discussion for cease fire between Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army ( RCSS/SSA) and Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ ang National Liberation Army(PSLF/TNLA) in Kyaukme and Thibaw townships in Shan State and return homes of IDPs.

MP Sai Nyun Tun from NO-2 constituency in Kyaukme urges both sides to accept the existence of both ethnic groups and peaceful co-existence similar to the ancestral times.

“Before the Panglong agreement was signed, Palaung and Shan nationals lived harmoniously for a long time. Now, they didn’t see eye to eye and attack each other for possessing land. The most important thing for the nationals living in Shan State is that they have to accept mutual existence. We have no other choice apart from that point. Shan and Palaung can live together peacefully in Shan State. When the other options are thought instead of peaceful co-existence, clashes began. We also knew and acknowledged how Shan and Palaung lived united when the Panglong agreement was signed. We recorded that unity since that time. In my opinion, they have to think about peaceful co-existence in Shan State seriously,” said MP Sai Nyun Tun from NO-2 constituency in Kyaukme.

A committee member for holding a peace forum in Shan State Tin Oo also said that they have to sympathize with the locals suffering the burden of armed conflicts and the armed groups in the area should issue a statement for the IDPs to return homes.

Next, Tin Maung Thein from Kyaukme IDPs helping committee said that armed groups must think of the locals who have no arms to protect themselves. Others and I are helping IDPS with our own strength. If there is no one to help them, how can the IDPs survive in difficult times? We are helping them not because we are rich. IDPs in our country existed since the country got independence. Clashes occurred in some parts of our country and wherever clashes broke out, only the locals had to suffer. So, Stop the conflicts and go for dialogue. If this happens, go to some distant places where there are no locals, They have to understand the hardship of IDPs.

RCSS/SSA and PSLF/TNLA exchanged fire on December 25 in Lwean village tract.  Locals from seven villages of over 1000 people fled to monasteries in Kyaukme for their safety as they feared clashes would intensify. A group should meditate for the safe return of locals to their homes according to San Maing from Otamar philanthropic association.

Clashes between RCSS/SSA and PSLF/TNLA also occurred near Loatlay village in Namtu-Lashio highway in northern Shan State on January 2 where 68 locals fled to Mansan village monastery. In December, 11 clashes broke out between RCSS/SSA and PSLF/TNLA and three times occurred in January.