[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

CEASE-FIRE GROUP LEADER ATTACKED FO



Media Release
October 7, 1998


      HOUSE OF CEASE-FIRE GROUP LEADER ATTACKED FOR THE SECOND TIME

The house of the leader of a cease-fire group in northern Burma
was attacked for the second time in two months by an-unknown
organisation, according to sources on the China-Burma border.

On the evening of September 29, three armed attackers arrived at
the house of Monsala, the leader of the Monkoo Defense Army
(MDA), also known as the Northern Shan State Special Region (1).
The gunmen opened fired on the lone guard at the gate, and after
killing him they entered the house and began shooting
indiscriminately.

Monsala hid in the corner of a room in the house throughout the
attack and escaped unhurt. This is the second such attack that he
has survived.

The first attack occurred on August 22, when four  Chinese-made
hand-grenades were thrown into the premises of the Monkoo
leader's house. Only one grenade exploded, and no one was injured
during the bombing, although a four-wheel drive vehicle parked in
the compound was destroyed.

According to sources from the northern border, the attacks may
have been triggered by business disputes between rival groups, as
the Monkoo region produces a great deal of  drugs and the MDA is
known to have been heavily involved in the trade.

Tensions between Monsala and Chinese authorities arose last year
after the Monkoo leader reportedly hid two well-known drug
traffickers wanted by Chinese authorities in his region. Chinese
authorities temporarily banned Monsala from entering China after
this incident.

The Burmese Army and the MDA jointly administer Monkoo. The area
is well known for its border trade route between Burma and China.
Monkoo held the former headquarters of the Burma Communist Party,
and became the stronghold of the MDA after the Kokang group
entered into a cease-fire agreement with the Burmese military
junta in March 1996.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For more information please contact 01-253 9082, 01-654 4984