More than 1000 Pa-O people staged a protest over the death of five Pa-O ethnic nationals by RCSS/SSA in Loilin.

These five Pa-O were allegedly killed by an attack from RCSS/SSA, prompting this protest that demanded justice for their fallen brethren as well as safe and secure lives for the rest of the people.

“The objectives of today’s protest were to denounce the RCSS/SSA which killed innocent civilians. We will later issue a full statement. We are not protesting at Shan nationals. We are protesting for the death of 5 Pa-O people and to get justice for them as well as safe and secure living for locals. By looking at the signboards, one will know the objectives of our protest. RCSS/SSA is an ethnic armed force and they have a central committee chairman. We couldn’t imagine why Shan are performing force recruitments, arresting and killing Pa-O and other ethnics. Arrests were made to Ta’aung, and Palaung in southern and northern Shan State. Last year, delegates of Ta’aung national party was arrested in Liolin. The same cases can be seen in Maukmae and other parts of Shan State. RCSS/SSA , Restoration Council of Shan State, may have little knowledge on their acts that conflicts may appear between Pa-O and Shan nationals. That’s why violation of human rights occurred successively in Shan State. What we desire is to stop and denounce the mass killing of locals. It is also a war crime and genocide. Locals in villages are disappearing. It is ethnic armed group as well as NCA signatory. So, Union government must handle with care. A committee must formed and investigate the killing of 5 locals,” said Khun SoeMyint, member of leading committee of the protest.

They also sent a letter to the President and they said they will work through various kinds of political approaches.

The protest was participated by 25 Pa-O groups. Pa-O from Shan and Kayah States also joined the protest.