Lway Htwe, Dec 10, Muse
The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) checkpoint near Sal Lant Village in Muse Township, northern Shan State, blocked the villagers returning from the Ta’ang New Year Festival from passing through the gate, according to accounts from those directly involved.
At around 1:00 a.m. on December 7, more than 20 residents of Sal Lant Village returning on motorbikes from the Ta’ang New Year festival in Namkham Township, were reportedly forced by SSPP troops to wait near the gate until 5:00 a.m.
“There were children and monks among us. They told us they wouldn’t let us—specifically the villagers—pass. If it had been other travelers, they might have allowed it. They knew we were coming back from the festival; they were deliberately stopping us,” said a man who experienced the incident.
He added that because there were children, they asked SSPP troops to let them through as they were worried about them getting cold, but the troops said, “No arguments. Just sit and wait.”
“Despite repeatedly pleading with the soldiers at the checkpoint—and even having a monk speak on our behalf—the SSPP troops refused to let us pass, forcing us to remain near the gate from 1:00 AM until 5:00 AM.”
Villagers also recounted a similar incident at the same location in September, when local men returning from Namkham, which is currently under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) were searched and extorted for money.
Translated by #KLT
~ ~ ~
You can read and listen to our Shwe Phee Myay’s reports, not only on Facebook and our Website, but also on the following channels:
