A mass rally to appose and condemn the announcement of secession of Shan State from the Union by renegade Sao Hkam Hpa and cohorts took place in the sports ground of Le` Char Township, Loilem District, Southern Shan State on 8th May 2005.Local people from nearby villages and leaders and members of 8 national races peace groups that have returned to the legal fold numbering about 8000 were present at the ceremony. The entire people comprising over 100 national races who have been living in the Union of Myanmar for thousands of years cannot accept the announcement of renegade Sao Hkam Hpa that could lead to breaking up the Union.

The innate nature of the People in Shan State is to live in peace and harmony with amity through thick and thin. Thanks to the national consolidation drive, like all other states and divisions. Shan State is also witnessing peace and stability. Here are comments of those attending the mass rally on evil acts of renegade Sao Hkam Hpa and cohorts.

U Khun San Lwin
(local)
“We, the Pa-O national organization and the people from our region totally denounce of renegade Sao Hkam Hpa and his cohorts because all of us in the Union have been living in unity and amity for year of countable time. And this declaration, which forebears the sign of disintegrating the Union cannot be accepted and we appose and denounce the declaration. We fully suppose this mass rally which opposes and denounces these renegade. The reason that we support this mass rally is that, without self interest, having solidarity and unity within the Union and its people, then only we can carry out and make endeavour that will benefit the nation and our region. And the youths of today will be able to compete with other youths from other countries and strive for the benefit of the nation, its people and their regions. We consider the declaration of the renegade contrary to all the above mentioned facts, thus we should discuss, coordinate and consult with each other at the National Convention, which is being held, and find ways and means to solve the requirements of the Union. In this way we will be able to keep abreast with the world and other ASEAN nations and be able to fulfill the needs of the nation. And that’s why, we support this mass rally which opposes and denounces the self-interest declaration of renegade Sao Hkam Hpa and cohorts”.

U Khun Hti
( local )
“Splitting and dividing mean minus signs. We cannot support for breaking up our strength. We, the nationals have been living in unity. If the Union is disintegrated, we will become weak. Our nation is small country in Southeast Asia. It is sandwiched between the most populous nations, Bangladesh and India in the west and China in the north. That’s why we should live in unity. So we oppose the secession from the Union”.

U Sai Tun Lwin
(local)
“The Union of Myanmar has only one Government. We cannot accept the secession from the Union. The desire of our Shan nationals is to live in peace. On behalf of the locals, I would like to say that we are looking forward for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation”. While the Government, the people and Tatmadaw are making concerted efforts for the emergence of a peaceful, modern and developed nation, some destructive elements within and without the nation are obviously plotting to undermine national unity. Nevertheless, the mass rally was evident that Shan nationals strongly oppose and condemn the wicked scheme of renegade Sao Hkam Hpa and his cohorts showing national unity.