Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) sent an explanation letter to head of negotiation team on October 9 to explain about the conflicts between them and forces of Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) in southern Shan State that occurred on October 9, sources said.

The information section of the SSPP stated some facts included in the letter that was written in the Shan language.

The letter said that the conflict occurred as the RCSS intruded into the area controlled by the SSPP and they ordered to return walkie-talkies given by the SSPP in villages. They also threatened the villagers to cut off relation with the SSPP.

The RCSS tried to control Hopong, Mongkung, Mongnai and Naungswan areas and reinforced their troops in the area. They also demanded rice and rations from locals to launch an offensive at the SSPP’s headquarters in Wun Hai and ambushed the SSPP forces in the area in Kyethi Township, it said.

Tai Freedom, a news agency owned by the RCSS, reported of a skirmish that occurred between RCSS and SSPP in Mongkai Village, Mongkung Township on October 9. The SSPP said that the news was false and the fighting actually occurred in Nantoak Village, Hopong Township, which is controlled by the SSPP.

Hopong, Mongkung, Mongnai and Naungswan areas are located in Kyethi Township and the disputed areas are located west of Kyethi-Mongnaung.

The areas controlled by the RCSS and SSPP used to be adjacent to each other earlier and land dispute and territorial problems have not occurred before. The SSPP said that the areas, controlled by the RCSS, are located in southern Shan State.

The SSPP cannot allow the intrusion of RCSS in Hopong, Mongkung, Mongnai and Naungswan areas. The fighting ceased on October 9 as the RCSS forces retreated from the areas. If the RCSS forces are not intruded in the areas, the fighting will not be occurred, the letter explained.