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Olden Shan States The Shan States, a mountainous land covered with lush vegetation, were rich in natural resources. The inhabitants have their own distinct language, culture and literature. Since ancient times, Shan State was divided into several princely states and ruled by hereditary rulers called Saophas. The combination of these princely states became the modern Shan State.

Being neighbours with lowland countries, there were connections among the people or the rulers. The Shans even once occupied and established a ruling dynasty for nearly 3 centuries. Disputes and conflicts erupted due to personal feuds among the rulers, but no inter-ethnic conflicts. The common people lived together in harmony in this same land.

When King Bayintnaung came to the throne, he tried to subdue the Shan Saophas, which resulted in brutal battles, as the latter refused. In these battles, several Shan families of the ruling class were annihilated by the Burmese. For example, the Mong Nai dynasty, descendants of King Meng Rai was annihilated by King Bayingnaung. Several other families of the ruling class suffered the same fate.

During the period ruled by King AlaungPhaYa's KoBang Dynasty (AD 1762-1885), the ruling houses of Mong Kong (Mogaung) and Mong Yang (Monyin) perished. As the Shan did not submit to this tyranny, battles erupted and the country was in turmoil. The Burmese court had established garrisons at YawngHwe (NyaungShwe), Mong Nai, Mong Pai and Keng Tung to defend against foreign intrusion (especially Thais). However, the local people were abused by Burmese soldiers from these garrisons. In one case, the local Shan Saphas revolted and massacred the Burmese troops in one of these garrisons. Because of these past disputes, the Burmese of the present day regard Shans as blood foes.

Shan State during the British occupation Before the British came, there was no country called Burma. It was named after the capital, e.g. Hongsawaddi, Ava and so on. It was not named after a race or ethnic group.
In 1928, after the British occupation of the coastal region (the Arakan and Tanisseriam), they declared that they had occupied Lower Burma. Because of this declaration, the name started to be known as Burma. In November 1885, Madalay was occupied and on 1st January 1886, they declared that they had annexed the whole of Burma to the British Crown colony. British troops entered Shan States in January 1887 and finally reached Keng Tung in 1890.

As they were of different countries and in a different situation, the British dealt with them differently. ThiBaw, the last king of the Kobang Dynasty was dethroned and deported to India, and his domain was colonized under the British Crown. However, the Shan Saophas retained their hereditary rights to deal with their own internal affairs, with supervision from the British Authorities. At the start, there were 44 Saopha States, but this was later reduced to 33 states, by amalgamation of the small states.

The British Administration of the Shan States The form of British Administration of the Shan States can be divided into 4 periods.
1. Sanad Period (1887-1897). In this first period the Saophas were given a mandate called Sanad to rule their domain. At the start there were 44 princely states ruled by 44 Saophas of various ranks. The British advised them in their relationships and gathered revenue.
2. The Lieutenant Governor's Council (1897-1922 AD). Shan State was governed directly by the Lieutenant Governor's Council. During this period Shan State and ministerial Burma were governed by the Lieutenant Governor's Council. This Council was formed by 5 British Military Officials and 2 civilians. Among the 2 civilians, Sao Khun Seng, the Saopha of Hsipaw State, represented the Shan States and U Kawng, the KinWun Minister represented Burma. This meant the British regarded Burma and Shan States as separate equal States. The joint administration of Shan States with Burma was strongly objected to by the Saophas and they proposedthat they should be governed separately.
3. The Federated Shan Chief Council (1st October 1922 to 1935) During this period the Federated Shan Chief Council was formed to govern the Shan States. This Council was formed on 1st October 1922, and was chaired by Commissioner Mac Callum, with the Deputy Commissioner as his vice. Another British officer was appointed as the secretariat. All the Saophas in the Shan State became members of this Council. The administration was separated from Burma.
4. The Standing Committee.( 1935 t0 1942) During this period, Shan States were governed by a Standing Committee.6 from the 33 ruling Saophas were elected in turns to form the Standing Committee. This committee reported directly to the Governor who oversaw Shan States and Burma proper. As they were of separate countries there were debts and credits between these 2 States.
Shan States during the 2nd World War The 2nd World War broke out in September 1939 in the Western front. The Japanese Imperial troops with Aung San at the lead reached Shan States in 1942, in pursuit of the British troops. Shan Saophas took sides with the allies and some of them reached India, Africa and other parts of the world. This gave them the opportunity to experience the changing world.
In exchange for free passage, Japan promised to cede Shan State (Areas east of the River Salween) to Siam. It was actually ceded to Siam on 7th July 1943. But after the War ended, Japan lost the war and this area was again returned to Shan States.

In August 1941, England and the United States of America declared the Atlantic Charter. In this Charter: (1) They promised to grant Independence to their Colonies, who helped them in the War. (2) All Nations must begoverned by their own Government. (3) All Nations are equal, whether they are of small or large countries.

As Shans took sides with the allies during the War, they were promised future development plans for administration, education, foreign relations & diplomacy, finance, and transportation under the British Dominion, before total Independence could be granted. Because of this, the Saophas were also thinking of the reformation and development plans of the Shan States.

The 2nd War ended in August 1945 and after the withdrawal of the Japanese, Sir R.Dorman Smith, the last Governor, returned to his office in Rangoon on 16th October 1945. Although the Shan States were governed by the sameGovernor, the form of administration was separate from Burma.

Post War Shan States and the Pang Long Agreement After the end of the 2nd World War, Shan Saophas met at the funeral of Sao Khin Thaung, the Mahadevi of Mong Pawn State. She was the elder sister of the Saopha of Mong Mit. .As all the Saophas were present, they discussedthe issues of the Atlantic Charter, the promises of the British and thefuture of the Shan States. All of them agreed that the Shan States shouldgradually reform their system of administration to become a Parliamentary Democracy system. At the start 12 among the 33 Saophas should be elected to take the leading role, in turns. In order to improve the current finance system, they agreed that a common finance system was essential. For further discussion, a conference was scheduled in Mong Kung in Central Shan States.

The Mong Kung Conference The Mong Kung Conference started on 31st January 1946 and the issues which had initially been discussed in Mong Pawn became the principle topics for discussion.

As 33 Saophas were too many to govern the whole Shan States, they agreed to concentrate their power for the future of the Shan States. As the Shan States were situated between China and Burma, it was essential to establish a strong and solid state in order to maintain its sovereignty. Not only the Shan States should be united; they also thought of extendiong their unity to other hill peoples. Thus, they decided to invite the Chin and Kachin leaders to join them. On the finance issue, they were sure that, if they were united, the revenue could sustain the administration of the State. The conference came to an end with two decisions. Firstly, a Conference was scheduled in March 1946, in the town of Pang Long, central Shan State. Secondly, Chin and Kachin leaders were to be invited to attend this conference.

The 1946 Pang Long Conference The first Pang Long Conference in 1946 started on 20th February and lasted till 28th February. Due to the invitation, Chin and Kachin delegates participated in the conference. This first Pang Long Conference was the foundation for the Pang Long Agreement and the so called Union of Burma.

The Burmese political leaders who were struggling for Independence were not invited to this first Pang Long Conference, but U Nu, U Saw, U Ba Gyan and Mahn Ba Khine came to observe. They tried to lobby the Shan Saophas to join Burma for Independence, but it was fruitless. The Saophas reasoned that, "In Politics or any other aspects, the Hill States are not as developed as Burma, besides the difference in language and culture. The problems facing Burma and the Shan States are very different and the solution will also be different. By joining Burma, we are concerned and worried for our language and culture. They might be absorbed into Burmese and become extinct. Our people who had migrated to settle in low land Burma have lost their mother tongue and culture. For these reasons, it is not possible for the Shans to join Burma for independence. " The Chins and Kachins were also hill people and as under-developed as the Shans. During the war, they had sided with the allies to fight the fascists. In order to stand between Burma and China, they agreed to unite with the Shan States. The following principles were agreed in this Conference: 1. To form the United Hill States. 2. To form the Supreme Council of the United Hill Peoples (SCOUHP). 3. The 18-member Council should consist of equal representatives. (ie-6 Shans, 6 Chins and 6 Kachins). 4. The Council will be responsible for the United Hill States, whether under British Dominion or Independence. 5. The members of this council will be responsible for the leading role in their respective states. (eg. 6 Chins will be responsible for the administration of the Chin State and the 6 Kachin for the Kachin State. 6. The Council will be responsible in finance, education and other affairs, for the development of the United Hill States. (1) As all participants agreed to these terms, the conclusion came as follows. 1. To form the SCOUHP in the coming Pang Long Conference, scheduled in 1947. 2. The Chin and Kachin were to select and send their participants for the Council. The 1947 Pang Long Conference was the result of the 1946 Pang Long Conference.

Aung San and the Burmese struggle for Independence According to the Atlantic Charter, Aung San and other Burmese political leaders were also looking for a way and working hard for Burma to achieve Independence. Soon after the war Aung San went to London, to demand Independence.But the British Government insisted that a Constitution was essential for an independent country.

In January 1946, Aung San gave a speech in the People's Assembly, on the Shwe Dagon Pagoda Hill in Rangoon. Shan State students, who were learning in Rangoon listened to his speech and liked his revolutionary ideas very much. (Since August 1936, Aung San had been a member of the Communist Party of Burma, the CPB) These Shan State students liked the communist idea of equality for all human beings, without slaves or masters. With this view, they were negative towards the Shan Saophas and hated them very much.

The Shan's stand in the 1946 Pang Long Conference did not satisfy the Burmese leaders, so they encouraged and supported the Shan students to form a political party to oppose the Saophas. As a result, the Shan State People's Freedom League (SSPFL) was formed on 20th September 1946. This was the first division between Shan students and the Shan Saophas.

At the same time Aung San tried to organize the people of the hill states. On 23rd December 1946, he gave a speech in the football ground in Taunggyi, urging the local lay-people, who knew nothing about politics to rally and protest, and demand to join Burma for Independence. On 25th December 1946, he met with Saophas from the southern Shan States, demanding a letter of recommendation for his trip to London. This letter was to be signed by the Saophas, recommending Aung San as the representative of the Hill States.
The Saophas refused his demand and insisted they needed to consult with other Saophas in the northern and the eastern Shan States. Aung San went back to Rangoon on 26th December 1946.

After Aung San left Taunggyi, the Southern Saophas went to consult in the north and they held a meeting in the state of Hsenwi. They all declined to recommend Aung San as the representatives of the Hill States. On 30th December 1946, the Saophas sent a telegraph from Lashio to the Governor, who then passed it to the British Prime Minister, Clement R. Attlee. The telegraph clearly stated that, "Aung San does not represent the hill States and all affairs concerning the Hill States should be dealt with by the Saophas". This telegraph reached Attlee, on the 2nd January 1947. By the time Aung San arrived in London on 9th January 1947, the telegraph from the Saophas was in Attlee's hand. Aung San not only demanded independence for Burma, but also to include the Hill States in the frontier areas. The British Prime Minister insisted that the unification of Burma and the Frontier States would not be possible without the free consent of the inhabitants. Again, Aung San demanded the appointment of a councillor in his cabinet to represent the frontier areas, but this demand was also refused.

Attlee explained that it was unfair for a councillor alone to decide the fate for all, and the peoples of these areas had the right to show their consent. As Aung San kept insisting, finally Attlee showed him the telegraph.

Soon after Aung San left Burma for London, U Nu learned about the Saophas' telegraph and decided to counter it. He sent his colleagues to Taunggyi, to rally the SSPFL for a demonstration against the British Government. There were about 100-200 demonstrators and as they came near the post office, U Pe Khin, a colleague of Aung San, went to sent a telegraph to London. This telegraph stated that, "Shan State peoples are rallying against the British Colonial Rule and have recognized Aung San as their representative. Those who are opposing him are just a few Saophas". This telegraph arrived in time on the 26th January 1947.

With this telegraph in hand Aung San could bargain better than before. Finally, Attlee agreed to add paragraph 8 in the Aung San-Attlee Agreement. The gist of this paragraph was, "To achieve the unification of the frontier areas and ministerial Burma with the free consent of the inhabitants of those areas." The leaders and representatives of the peoples of the frontier areas shall be asked, either at the Pang Long Conference in the beginning of February or at a special conference to be convened for the purpose. The whole paragraph was concerned with the Frontier Areas and the Aung San-Attlee Agreement was signed on 27th January 1947. Thus, Aung Sangot a chance to attend the Pang Long Conference in February 1947, where Chin and Kachin delegates were present.

On 28th January 1947, Attlee also sent a telegraph to the leaders of the Hill Peoples, informing them of Aung San's coming and to be prepared for paragraph 8.

The Pang Long Conference 1947 As previously agreed in the 1st Pang Long Conference (1946), The 2nd Pang Long Conference was held in February 1947. The main objective was to form the SCOUHP. Starting from 3rd February 1947, Shan leaders discussed the future developments of the Shan States. With the system of administration, the Shan Saophas agreed that the reform to a Parliamentary Democracy required gradual changes. Before a true democratic system could be established, the Shan States should be governed by a Shan State Council and this was scheduled to be formed on 15th February 1947 in Taunggyi. The members of the Shan State Council were to consist of equal members from the ruling Shan Saophas and commoners. On 4th February 1947, the Saophas informed the Commissioner, who was in Taunggyi, about this formation.

On 5th and 6th February 1947, the Shan and Kachin delegates discussed the issue of forming the SCOUHP and the discussion with Aung San. They agreed to talk with Aung San collectively and not as separate groups. Chin delegates arrived on the evening of the 6th and agreed with what the Shans and Kachins had agreed upon.

On 7th February 1947, at 13:00 hrs they formed a sub-committee to negotiate with Aung San. The 6-men negotiating committee consisted of equal numbers of representatives, 2 each from the Shan, Chin and Kachin delegations.

Although the telegraph from London reached the Karen leaders in time, they did not arrive in Pang Long in time because they were busy with forming the KNU, which lasted from 5th to 7th February 1947. With the Karenni leaders, they arrived late and could not participate in the Conference. Instead they participated as observers.

On 7th February 1947, a telegraph from the British Governor arrived, informing them that before they could hold a conference and form the Shan State Council, they must first acquire the permission of the Governor. The students from the SSPFL were furious with this telegraph and they accused the Saophas of being weak and submissive to their British Master and demanded the conference be reconvened at that instant. Thus, the conference restarted at 19:00 hrs, where they formed the 14-member Shan State Council, with 7 members each from the ruling Saophas and from the SSPFL. The Tri-coloured Shan National Flag and the Shan National Anthems were first recognized on that evening. Before this day, Shan princely states had their own flag or standard. This Tri-coloured National Flag represents the whole Shan State.

And thus, 7th February 1947, became the first Shan National Day, on which they decided their own fate. The forming of the Shan State Council was the first step to reform the feudal Shan States into a Democratic Shan State. This proved, the Shans were walking on a true democratic pathway to reform the State.

The Arrival of Aung San and his team in Pang Long In the evening of 8th February 1947, at 18:30 hrs Aung San arrived in Pang Long, together with U Aung Zan Way, Bo Khin Maung Gale, U Pe Khin and Bo Htun Hla.On the 9th, in the morning, at 09:00 hrs, Mr. Bottomley, John Leyden, and Bernard Ledwidge representing the British authorities and U Tin Htut arrived.

The Forming of the SCOUHP The SCOUHP was formed in the morning of 9th February 1947, at 10:00 hrs. As previously agreed, 6 representatives each from the Shan, Chin and Kachin delegates became the members of the SCOUHP. Among the 6 Shan representatives, 3 were from the ruling Saophas and 3 others from the commoners (ie-SSPFL). This was further proof that the Shan Saophas were willing and ready to reform the system of administration.

The SCOUHP was formed to take responsibility for United Hill States' Affairs, and the office was to temporarily reside with the Office of the Shan State Council. This was the first leading administrative body for the United Hill States, in which no Burmese participated.

Aung San and the Hill Peoples The SCOUHP was successfully formed on the 9th February 1947 and at 11:30 hrs. Aung San met with Hill States representatives. During the meeting Aung San kept insisting that the hill peoples should join him to speed up Independence.

They listened to his words without any comment or suggestion. On 10th February they met again to discuss once more. Mr. Bottomley represented the British Authorities. The Shan delegates demanded that 1. The unification of the Hill States and Ministerial Burma should be temporary and should last only to the time of Independence. 2. The Hill States would secede, soon after Independence was achieved. The Kachin delegates demanded that (1) The Kachin State be recognised. The Chin delegates demanded that (1) Financial support be given to the Chin State. (2) Proper roads be constructed for transportation. As these demands could not be settled, Aung San was furious and decided to leave the meeting and ordered his attendants to arrange his flight to Rangoon.

Before Aung San could leave, U Tin Aye, a member of the SSPFL led a rally, demanding that the Shan Saophas join Burma for Independence. The SSPFL had previously arranged a rally, by marshalling civilians (60 car loads of them) informing them that they were going to the festival at Pang Long. At the same time a brawl broke out between Aung San's bodyguards and the attendants of Sao Shwe Theik the Saopha of Yawnghwe. This caused Aung San to continue his stay in Pang Long.

Later, U Tin Aye and Sao Sam Htun, the Saopha of Mong Pawn, managed to persuade Aung San to continue his discussion. At the same time Kachin, Chin and Shan leaders were holding discussions with John Leyden.

On 11th February 1947, at 09:00 hrs, the Hill States' representatives held further discussions with Aung San once more and finally reached the following terms.
(1) Every State was to have equal administrative power. (2) Every State was to have freedom in their finance system. (3) The administration of the Hill States would not be hindered by the Central Government. (4) Equal rights and Status according to Democratic Principles. (5) The Right of Secession was to be clearly defined in the Constitution. (6) The recognition of Kachin State was to be endorsed. These were some of the principles previously agreed upon to be included in the Pang Long Agreement .On 11th February 1947 at 17:00 hrs, the Hill States leaders met with Mr. Bottomley, who said, "The Unification of the Frontier States was supposed to be temporary before Independence".

The Pang Long Agreement As personally agreed with Aung San, the Pang Long Agreement was signed on the 12th of February 1947 at 11:00 hrs with the basic principles of mutual respect, non-interference in the States' Affairs and the Right of Secession. The Pang Long Agreement was not an agreement between Aung San and the Hill States' Leaders. It was also not an agreement between the Burmese and the Hill States' peoples. It was an agreement between the United Hill States and Burma. It was an inter-state agreement.

Therefore, without the Saophas, the conference with the Chins and Kachins would not have occurred. Without the conference, SCOUHP could not have been formed. Without the SCOUHP, there would have been neither Pang Long Agreement nor Union of Burma. During the drafting of the 1947 Constitution, the Burmese political leaders insisted on using the name, the Union of Burma, which misled the international community to think that the inhabitants wholly consisted of Burmese.

The Union of Burma was not founded by the Burmese alone and not only was they the inhabitants. In the land so-called the Union of Burma, about 60 % of the inhabitants still could not speak or understand the language of Burmese properly.

The recognition of Burma as a single unitary state and a single race means indirectly abusing the rights of the Non-Burmese people.

Invasion of Shan State by the Burmese Army As agreed in Pang Long, all political leaders held a meeting from 10th to 18th June 1947, in preparation to draft the constitution and form the cabinet. The draft, which would later be known as the 1947 Constitution of the Union of Burma was completed and recognized on 24th September 1947. The drafting was dominated by Burmese political leaders from the AFPFL, who used Burmese terms and wording to confuse the Hill State leaders. When they asked the meaning, the Burmese leaders insisted that it had the same meaning as mentioned by the Hill State leaders.

The name the Union of Burma which was selected by the Burmese leaders was strongly opposed by the Saophas. Instead they suggested naming it the Federal Union of Burma, but this was declined by the Burmese, who reasoned that it had the same meaning in Burmese. The Saophas again proposed that it should be scrutinised by learned scholars and legal experts. This proposal was also declined by Burmese leaders, reasoning that they needed to speed up Independence and the document could be amended once Independence was achieved.

Independence was achieved on the 4th of January 1948. The splitting of the CPB on 23rd August 1948, resulted in armed rebellion, in which they came to take their roots in the Shan State. On 16th June 1948, the SSPFL, who had continually urged and supported the unification of the Hill States and Burma, was condemned by the Burmese dominated Central Government. The CPB came to spread their Communist ideology among the Hill peoples to sow the seed of disunity. On 13th August 1949, the combined forces of Kachins, Karens and Pa-Ohs, led by pro-communist Kachin "Naw Seng" stormed and occupied Taunggyi, the capital of the Shan State. On 27th August 1949, Naw Seng's troops occupied Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State. On 31st August 1949, Naw Seng's troops occupied Nam Kham, a town in the northern Shan State bordering with China.

On 23rd November 1949, the combined forces which had occupied Taunggyi had to withdraw, but the Pa-Ohs left Taunggyi and used the hills around the town of HsiHseng, in southern Shan State as their base areas. In December 1949, U Hla Pe, a Pa-Oh from HsaHtung (Thaton) founded the Pa-Oh LengFu. This organization was pro-communist and anti-feudal, and revolted against the Saophas. This was the first communist intrusion of the Shan State after Independence.

At the same time, the remnants of KMT Chinese who were ousted by the Chinese communist troops were encroaching into Shan State, while the pro-CPB was being active in the south. Reasoning that Shan State was in turmoil the Burmese Army sent their troops in, on the pretext of defending the people against the danger of KMT and CPB troops. From that time the Burmese Army showed their true colours. Instead of defending them, the occupying Burmese troops abused the rights of the Hill Peoples by committing all known forms of atrocities. As Shan State was regarded as their colony, plunder, rapes, extrajudicial executions and burning of the villages by these Burmese troops were common. They interfered with the internal affairs of the Shan State without consulting its government. The Shan State Government filed complains to the Central Government, but these were rejected. They accused the Hill people of being responsible for all these troubles.

In 1952, they imposed Martial Law in Shan State, reasoning it was in turmoil due to the presence of the KMT and CPB troops. This paved the way to beef up their strength in the Shan State. From that time onwards, Shan State people lost their freedom in their daily life. They could not make their living freely. The budgets from the Central Government became less and less than in the British Colonial times. The Burmese's promises during the struggle for Independence in Pang Long were forgotten.

But the Saophas still stick to their promises, looking for a way to solve the problems by peaceful means. They could have secretly marshalled an army, but they didn't. They did not even think of forming an army and solving the problems by violent means. However, the Saophas' proposal to solve the problems by peaceful means was rejected and shelved by the Burmese dominated Central Government.

During the time when the Union of Burma was administrated by the Parliamentary Democratic System, the Hill States were governed by their own State Governments to deal with their internal affairs. The results of the election during these periods were as follows- (1) The result of the 1st election in January 1952 was, U Nu's AFPFL won 147 seats (60%) out of the total 200 and the Hill State Representatives won only 33 seats. (2) In the 2nd election on 27th April 1956, U Nu's AFPFL won 173 seats (55%) and the National United Front (NUF) won 48 seats (38.9%).In the 3rd election in April 1960, U Nu's AFPFL won 159 seats (52%), Ba Swe-Kyaw Nyein's AFPFL faction won 42 seats (38%), 3 seats for Mon, 23 seats for Shans, 2 seats for Karenni, and 6 seats for the United Party of Shan State.

As the Burmese political leaders were insincere and unfair, the results were imbalanced and the Hill States leaders found that they had no chance to implement programs for the benefits of their own people. While Shan leaders were trying to find a way to achieve a peaceful political solution, the Burmese Army were sending their reinforcements to the Shan State on the pretext of subduing the KMT and the CPB.

During the time of the Parliamentary Democratic administration (ie-1948--1962), Shan leaders always exercised peaceful means. According to the 1947 constitution they could exercise the Right of Secession after a 10-year period. As the 10-year deadline was approaching, the then Prime Minister U Nu made a secret deal with General Ne Win by sending a letter on 26th September 1958, stating that he could not hold the Union intact. On 29th September 1958, Gen: Ne Win formed the caretaker government for the period. He made some reforms to deceive the Hill State leaders, and believing Ne Win's Government would be fair and just, the Shan Saophas surrendered their hereditary rights to the Shan State Government on 29th April 1959, as part of their reformation to Democracy. But, their goodwill and sincerity were betrayed and Shan leaders found out that, having lost their hereditary rights and political manoeuvrability, they could do nothing to alleviate the daily life of their people. At the same time the Burmese Army stationed their troops at strategic positions and roads to keep Shan State under their control.

While Shan leaders were looking for a peaceful solution, without forming an army, the Burmese dominated Government had a different view. They were trying hard to subdue the Hill Peoples and occupy their lands.
In the election in October 1960, U Nu, who said he could not hold the country intact, was re-elected and became the Prime Minister of the Union of Burma. During the election, U Nu had made 3 promises. They were to demarcate the Sino-Burma border, to promulgate Buddhism as the State Religion and to amend the 1947 Constitution. For these issues he called upon the Shan State Government to express their views.

The Shan State leaders responded with the Federal Proposal, demanding to have 8 equal States and the amendment of the 1947 Constitution.

This proposal was signed by 32 political leaders of the Shan State. The proposal for Burma to become an equal State was not acceptable for the Burmese leaders who interpreted as an insult. The General Ne Win's coup d'etat in the morning of 2nd March 1962 was targeted to abolish the Shan State Government. Since that time onwards Democracy become just a word and ceased to exist in practice.

The Burmese Army invaded Shan State on the pretext of subduing the KMT and CPB, but even before the coup or 3-4 decades after the coup these armed groups still continue to haunt the Shan State people. The pro-communist armed groups, pro-democracy armed groups, the Ka Kwe Ye and Militias in Shan State were the creation of the Burmese militarists. Shan State people have been suffering the repercussion of the invasion for decades without knowing when it will end.

No Choice for the Shan State People Due to the situation as mentioned above, Shan State People have no other choice. They have their own homes and villages, but could not live in peace and safety. They have their own cultivatable farmlands, but could not plant in peace to produce enough for their families. As there were no proper roads for transportation, farm products get rot in the fields. Livestock become feral because they have always been hunt and butchered by these armed groups, who first came in few but later in hundreds and in thousands.

In 1949, the members of CPB, from lower Burma came to Shan State. They had managed to organize the Pa-Ohs, who were honest farming people. They had lived in peace and harmony under the Shan rule for centuries without any dispute. By sowing the seed of communism, these people began to hate the Saophas and finally their armed rebellion became the "Feudal Revolution" even when most of them did not know what feudal meant. Although there were no more Saophas, the Pa-Oh armed groups still persist and this time viewing the Shans as their rivals. Since then these conflicts have been lasting for 50 years.

In 1950, the remnants of the KMT Chinese troops came to Shan State, paving their way of retreat to Taiwan but actually remained in Shan State, their transit point, for several decades.

In 1952, Burma Army sent their troops into Shan State, on the pretext of "To get rid of the KMT and CPB troops in the Shan State". But in truth they had targeted on the Shan State people, raping, killing and plundering their properties, while the mentioned armed groups went at large.

In 1958, ten years had passed and its time for the Shan Leaders to consider the facts which had previously agreed in the Pang Long Conference. As previously agreed, such as, mutual respect and co-operative; non-interference in the internal affairs of the States; full autonomy according to the democratic ways; to maintain the budgets not less than the British Colonial times; and other promises had vanished. Burmese troops interfered in every affair of the States.

Under the military boots of KMT, CPB and the Burma Army, Shan State people became victims of abused. Even though the Burmese first broke their promises, the Saophas and Shan political leaders were patient enough to wait for expiration of the agreed 10 years period, before they took legal steps to restore the rights of the Shan State people.

In 1960, In addition to these several armed groups, the Burmese dominant central Government, formed more militia groups, known as Ka Kwe Ye, they were armed and supported by the Burma Army. By then there were more than 30 armed groups in Shan State. Beside these armed groups, village guards, called Pyi Thu Sit were also formed and armed by the Burma Army. These numerous armed groups were created by the Burmese to keep Shan State in turmoil. Ethnic Nationalities of the Shan State, who had lived in peace and harmony with each other, were now fighting each other as rivals. These armed disputes had added the misery of the Shan State people.

The Burma Army, who came on the pretext to drive away the KMT and CPB troops, were found driving the Shan people from their homes. Not once, the people could live in peace under the Burmese rule. The Ne Win's coup d'etat in 1962 was targeted to abolish the Shan State Government. Since that time onwards, Shan State people have no one to rely or to speak on their behalf.

In 1968, Ba Thein Tin had moved from the CPB headquarter in China to the Wa and KoKang areas of the Shan State. Recruiting hill people as their front-line combatants, in which thousands of hill people had died or crippled. By sowing the hated and distrust among the Shan State people, they made them killed each other.

The combatants of CPB, KMT, Ka Kwe Ye, Pyi Thu Sit and the resistant armed groups were all conscripted from the Shan People. Due to the policy or the orders of their superiors, one brother must kill his own brothers. Distrust among armed groups lead to armed conflicts, which cost countless innocent lives. Villagers were brutally executed for suspecting of being sympathizers or informers of the rival groups. Most of the executions were carried out by troops from the Burma Army and Burmese lead CPB troops. This action was clear that, Burmese were planning to get rid of the people in order to occupy the land in Shan State.

In 1988, there was a national-wide demonstration and uprising in Burma. After that uprising, several armed groups had made truce with the Burmese junta between 1989 1996 but the misery of the common people remains unchanged. Forced relocation and burning of the villages, rapes, plunders and extra-judicial execution still in common. Tens of thousands villagers have to flee from their ancestral homeland to neighbouring countries in the hope to find a safe place to live.

Because of these situation Shan State people who remain on their homeland have no other choice, rather than took up arms against the tyranny, in order to survive. In the past, Shan Saophas and Political leaders had sacrificed their lives by solving the problems by peaceful means. And several long standing armed opposition groups have made truce in order to solve the problems by peaceful means. But all these efforts seem useless, because they had gained nothing to alleviate the misery of the common Shan State people.

The total surrender of MTA in 1996 proved that it was useless. The living condition of the Shan State people changed from bad to worst. Mass migration of Shan people takes place, soon after the surrender. It's clear that surrendering of arms alone could not restore peace in the Shan State.

Therefore, to solve all these problems and disputes, it neither depend on the hill people nor on the armed groups who are still fighting against the regime. True peace could not be achieved by surrendering of arms alone. Surrendering of arms without achieving the true peace could only resulted in more armed groups and if they are lead by stubborn and ruthless leaders with no proper policy to think for the people, then the situation will be out of control.

Because of these reasons, the true peace could only restore, when every people in Shan State could live in peace and safety.

Solution to end the disputes between Burma and Shan State Because they were of separate countries, The Burmese were always harassing Shan towns and villages for centuries, in order to subdue them. Due to the Pang Long Agreement, these two separate countries had merged to become the so call Union of Burma. In the name of the Union, the Burmese dominant central government behaved on Shan State as their new found colony. Plunders, rapes, executions and all forms of atrocities were committed by the Burmese troops until their name (Marn = Burmese) become a terror among the hill people. Not only have human beings, pets and farm animals alike, fled for their lives, because they had seen others being butchered. Frequent alertness has turned the domestic animals to become feral. The life of the people is not much better than their animals. Since joining Burma to achieve independence from the British in 1948, these basic human rights were not known to the Shan State people.

1. Shan State rural people have no Identity cards. As they were never been issued, these people are not included in the census. Villagers who have never left their villages since birth have become aliens in the own ancestral homelands. 2. The lack of school and educational facilities, have keep the people with inadequate knowledge of the changing world. Only fear dominates their daily life and they have become xenophobic, always pessimistic and distrust on the outsiders. 3. As the tradition way of life was hindered by the Burmese troops, the farmers could not produce enough to sustain their families. So, they were forced to find extra income by involve in every possible work for their survival. It was never known that these people get rich for their involvements in illegal trade. 4. Several armed groups which had been created by the Burma Army, had fought each other as rivals. In the meantime, although they have made truce with the junta, they are not free to contact with each other without permission of the Burmese military authorities, who are still planning to divide these groups. Distrust among these armed groups added more difficulties in the reconciliation. 5. Illegal immigrants; Due to the atrocities committed by the Burmese troops, tens of thousands of Shan State people had fled from their ancestral homeland to neighbouring countries in search of safe haven. Although their living and working condition are not good enough, at least their lives are safe from being executed.

These problems were started by the Burma Army and as long as they are present, these problems could not be solved. The fear on Burmese troops would hinder the people to show up their true consent. Without knowing the true consent of the people, there will be no proper solution to restore peace in Shan State.