As the Tatmadaw Government is able to build trust between armed groups and itself, 17 major armed groups and other small groups have returned to the legal fold and exchanged arms for peace. On the 12th April 2005, SSNA 11th Brigade under U Kanna exchanged arms for peace unconditionally in Kwinkank village, Theinni Township, Northern Shan State. Similarly, on the 29th, the PSLA led by U Aik Mone unconditionally exchanged arms for peace in Manton. The PSLA, which returned to the Legal Fold in 1991, has been working for development of Normtsan Manton the Palaung area hand in hand with the government. The confidence building process over a decade cleared away army suspicion an understanding.
Moreover, the PSLA had to collect funds from the people. Its rank and file realized the uneasiness of the people. Now that the PSLA has decided on its own volition to get rid of the burden of people. Over 500 PSLA members turned over 420 assorted arms, 357 shells and 19,906 rounds of ammunition. Here are some of the sentiments of people attending the ceremony of unconditional exchange of arms for peace.
U Aik Mone ( Leader of PSLA )
Palaung State liberation Army made peace in 1991 and it is 4 years now. During the period, we’ve been working for regional development cooperation with the government and the people.
The peace is happily welcomed and we’re happy to work for the people. We exchanged arms for peace unconditionally without outside instigation. We did it on our own volition, respecting the people’s desire and having full confidence in the government. We had been working on regional development ever since we made peace. Now we’ll double up our efforts on education, health, road, communication and social work. We hope other armed groups will in due course exchange arms for peace unconditionally.
U Mahtu Naw ( Chairman of KDA )
Special Region(5)
We welcome the unconditional exchange of arms for peace by U Aik Mone, which is the correct decision.
Our KDA made peace with the government on 15th January 1991 and cooperation to fight off any aggression. In the last 16 years, we co-operated successfully with the government for regional development. KDA’s stance is to cooperate with the government to ward off any transgression on the cooperation of KDA and government, the working of National Convention and the drafting of State constitution. When the State constitution is promulgated, the KDA will abide by it.
Unconditional exchange of arms for peace is a good and noble act. I’m sure the future will bring development in various aspects of life.
Daw Loi Nang Kwe`
U Aik Mone’s daughter I’m working as a staff nurse, at Mangton People’s Hospital after receiving Diploma in Nursing. I’m also studying 3rd year History from Mandalay University of Distance Education. The local people mostly Palaung national races are simple and honest. Naturally, they are discontent to pay various kinds of taxes and collection, but don’t show it openly. However, the PSLA rank and file knows the situation, as they are their kith and kin of the people. Finally, they decided to exchange arms for peace, which the people welcomed whole heartily. U Aik Mone expressed his vision to leave a good tradition and heritage to posterity. The PSLA also welcomes other armed groups to follow suit. If the process is positively accepted by all, peace and tranquility will prevail ushering in development across the nation.