As the Tamadaw 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 and 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 Khun Pwint
I’m a Ta-aung Palaung national of Namtsam Township. I expressed at the ceremony the woes of our people to the public. I’m genuinely happy for the good weather, the sincerity of U Aik Mone and the unconditional exchange of arms for peace by the PSLA. We’ll be happily engaging in extensive work on regional development. The occasion is historic for us so that I spoke in both Myanmar and Palaung in detail with great delight. I request other armed groups across the nation to exchange arms for peace unconditionally.
U Lwei Maung
SSA (Special Region-3)
We’re very delighted to see peace and tranquility in the region. We’re sure the people of PSLA region and 11th SSNA Brigade area will be happy for the peace.
I’m very much relieved to attend the ceremony of unconditional exchange of arms for peace. I’ve full of expectation for the future. We’ll work together with the government in regional development.
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 know 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 smit. If the process is positively accepted by all, peace and tranquility will prevail ushering in development across the nation.