SHAN: Kachin Group to Surrender Arms May 3, Shan Herald Agency for News The next one to go – Hawkeye The Kachin splinter group in Shan State has been notified by the Burma Army to assemble at their Kawngkha headquarters in Kutkhai township, northern Shan State by tomorrow (4 May) for the next 'Exchange arms for peace' ceremony, according to ceasefire sources: If true, the Kachin Defense Army, officially known as Shan State Special Region #5, led by Mahtu Naw, former commander of the Kachin Independence Army's Fourth Brigade that had concluded a truce pact with Rangoon on 11 January 1991, will be the third ceasefire group in a month to surrender its arms. Its forerunners are Shan State National Army's 11th Brigade in Hsenwi on 12 April and Palaung State Liberation Army in Mantong on 29 April. The overall situation does not bode well for other groups either, according to the sources. Sizable groups like the Shan Sate Army "North" are being sounded out individually, particularly its Third Brigade New military bases are being constructed around the ceasefire areas. For instance, Infantry Battalion 67, based at the former palace hill of Mongyai, south of Lashio, has recently been moved out to the Mongyai-Hoya intersection 5 miles east. The strategic hill from where the SSA's Hsengkeow headquarters in the southwest and its First Brigade base in the southeast could be commanded has been replaced by an artillery unit. Village and tract headmen have been issued orders to stop collecting rice, men and monetary contributions for the ceasefire groups, and some who failed to comply with the order have been arrested. According to S.H.A.N.'s source in Mongton, opposite Chiangmai, even the Wa, considered the strongest among the ceasefire armies, are feeling the pinch. "The Burmese Army told us (right after the battle of Loi Taileng, opposite Maehongson, on 26 April) that if we could not even handle Yawdserk (the SSA 'South' commander), we had no business bearing arms and that we should consider returning to civilian life," a Wa commander was quoted as saying. The Burma Army had fired a total of 4,160 rounds of heavy weapons at the SSA lines in support of the UWSA between 13 March - 26 April, according to the commander. The Wa had suffered at least 275 dead and 310 wounded while inflicting only 10 dead and 36 wounded on the SSA defenders, according to SSA figures. Some Shan ceasefire commanders appear to be looking toward the Interim Shan Government formed by exiled Shan elders on 17 April. "Prove to us you're our government by coming to our rescue," a desperate officer, who kept asking S.H.A.N. whether or not the ISG had obtained foreign assistance, challenged. Meanwhile, the SSNA whose 11th Brigade had surrendered is said to have reorganized under the overall command of Col Sai Yi: Commander in Chief and G-3 (Operations) - Lt-Col Khaymin Deputy Commander in Chief - Lt-Col Kungkhurh Chief of Staff and G-5 (Morale) - Lt-Col Awng Mya G-1 (Personnel ) - Lt-Col Hsengzoom G-2 (Intelligence) - Lt-Col Oom Khurh G-4 (Logistcs) - Maj Puen Khurh Altogether the group commands 15 battalions, each estimated at 120-160 strong. ~