SENG PHOO — A signboard erected by the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) signboard was recently destroyed in Hsipaw Township.

The move follows the destruction of another Hsipaw signboard belonging to the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) on September 18. Three Ta’ang National Party (TNP) signs were also destroyed in southern Shan State’s Murng Kurng Township at the same time. It remains unknown who was responsible for the acts.

General secretary of the SNDP Sai Boe Aung said that he had not received a full report on the incident at the time of reporting.  

“We have yet to make a decision about what to do. We haven’t gotten detailed information, so I don’t want to comment on it,” he told SHAN.

The general secretary added that they would take legal action against the perpetrators if they are identified in an investigation.

Current parliamentarian in Hsipaw Nang San San Aye, of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), reported the incident to the police.

“I requested that the police take action against this. I do not accept this kind of destructive act. We, the SNLD, strongly oppose this. People must accept diversity,” she wrote on her Facebook page.

The SNDP’s Sai Boe Aung lamented what he said was a lack of unity among the Shan people.

“Shan people are creating problems amongst themselves. They are destroying themselves. It’s a big loss for our Shan State,” Sai Boe Aung said.

The NLD, SNLD, SNDP, TNP and the Union Solidarity and Development Party, United Democratic Party, National Democracy Force and Union Betterment Party are all putting forward candidates in Hsipaw for November’s general election.