It is a classic case of the return of the prodigal son. Col Moengzuen, whose ‘return to the legal fold’ was formally celebrated by the generals on July 16, has returned to the struggle against the occupying Burmese forces, disclosed Col Yawdserk, leader of the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South this morning.
It is a classic case of the return of the prodigal son. Col Moengzuen, whose ‘return to the legal fold’ was formally celebrated by the generals on July 16, has returned to the struggle against the occupying Burmese forces, disclosed Col Yawdserk, leader of the anti-junta Shan State Army (SSA) South this morning.
His disclosure was confirmed by an independent source from northeastern Shan State this morning. On August 1, Moengzuen and his men withdrew from their base at Namhu Phra Htam in Laikha Township, 79 miles northeast of Taunggyi, following a heated row with a Burmese commander who reportedly called for his total submission and that of his force.
The 70-men led by Maj Sai Htoi have already rejoined their former comrades-in-arms from SSA-South, said Yawdserk. “As for Moengzuen, he has pleaded for amnesty through an intermediary,” recounted the SSA-South chief. “I said if there were any concerns about facing the execution squad, he could rest easy. But he had to recognize that he had caused severe damage to the struggle and must face formal inquiries. He will be given a chance to redeem himself afterwards.”
According to the SSA’s earlier statement, Moengzuen had committed a four-fold offence:
•Communicating with the enemy without sanction from HQ
•Unauthorized acceptance of Kyat 60 million ($ 50,000) loan from the locals
•Unauthorized levying of Kyat 90 million ($75,000) fine on the locals
•Defection to the “Interim Shan Government” (ISG)
While it is still unclear as to why Moengzuen had suddenly changed his mind about his new allies after barely 32 days with them, it could be one or all of the following reasons, said sources:
•Failure of the Burma Army to live up to their promise (He had demanded the retention of all his former operational area, but was given only a few villages to operate)
•He and his men were being employed in the Burma Army’s continued war against the SSA-South
•He could not accept the total submission condition by the Burma Army
Moengzuen (44) was Commander of the SSA-South’s 758th Brigade that oversaw the area between six towns: Loilem, Laikha, Mongkeung, Kehsi, Mongnawng and Namzang, until he announced his allegiance to the newly formed ISG that declared Independence last year. He ‘returned to the legal fold’ on June 29 after a year long sustained military offensive launched by the Burma Army.
His disclosure was confirmed by an independent source from northeastern Shan State this morning. On August 1, Moengzuen and his men withdrew from their base at Namhu Phra Htam in Laikha Township, 79 miles northeast of Taunggyi, following a heated row with a Burmese commander who reportedly called for his total submission and that of his force.
The 70-men led by Maj Sai Htoi have already rejoined their former comrades-in-arms from SSA-South, said Yawdserk. “As for Moengzuen, he has pleaded for amnesty through an intermediary,” recounted the SSA-South chief. “I said if there were any concerns about facing the execution squad, he could rest easy. But he had to recognize that he had caused severe damage to the struggle and must face formal inquiries. He will be given a chance to redeem himself afterwards.”
According to the SSA’s earlier statement, Moengzuen had committed a four-fold offence:
•Communicating with the enemy without sanction from HQ
•Unauthorized acceptance of Kyat 60 million ($ 50,000) loan from the locals
•Unauthorized levying of Kyat 90 million ($75,000) fine on the locals
•Defection to the “Interim Shan Government” (ISG)
While it is still unclear as to why Moengzuen had suddenly changed his mind about his new allies after barely 32 days with them, it could be one or all of the following reasons, said sources:
•Failure of the Burma Army to live up to their promise (He had demanded the retention of all his former operational area, but was given only a few villages to operate)
•He and his men were being employed in the Burma Army’s continued war against the SSA-South
•He could not accept the total submission condition by the Burma Army
Moengzuen (44) was Commander of the SSA-South’s 758th Brigade that oversaw the area between six towns: Loilem, Laikha, Mongkeung, Kehsi, Mongnawng and Namzang, until he announced his allegiance to the newly formed ISG that declared Independence last year. He ‘returned to the legal fold’ on June 29 after a year long sustained military offensive launched by the Burma Army.
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