Myanmar’s SNLD Condemns Murder of 3 Party Members in Northern Shan State

By Lawi Weng 5 November 2019

A largely ethnic Shan political party has condemned the killing of three party members by unidentified gunmen on Sunday in Kyaukme, northern Shan State.

The Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD) expressed sorrow over the daylight murders of two village chairmen and one former chairman in a restaurant in the town. The victims were reportedly looking for help to stop the forced recruitment of villagers by the Restoration Council of Shan State.

The victims were Sai Tun Yin, 36, from Mong Tin, Sai Aung Thein, 47, of Nai Mon, and Sai Tu Zay Ya, 52, who was a former chairman at Lao Ow.

“We condemn the terrorism against civilians and the group that committed the crimes,” it said.

The party said the daytime murders in a public place in Kyaukme challenged the rule of law.

The SNLD called on the authorities to provide better security and prosecute those responsible for the murders.

The party demanded an end to the murders in northern Shan State and Rakhine State.

Sai Kyaw Nyunt, a spokesman for the SNLD, told The Irrawaddy that the three victims were party members.

He said the SNLD also condemned all acts against non-party members.

“This was not the first time. Even Buddhist monks have been killed in the past,” he added.

A senior monk was killed last year in Kyaukme and another monk was murdered last month in Lashio Township.

“We want to see how the government will take action over the crimes,” Sai Kyaw Nyunt added.

He said the party did not know the killers and did not know why its party members were targeted.

“We can’t accuse someone as we have no evidence. Even the government has no evidence.”