Shan Commander Died by Poison?

[shan@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

20 April 1999 

Reports from the north confirmed that Ltc. Ngo-harn, a commander of the
Shan States Army, died on 2 April under suspicious circumstances. 

Reports, yet to be confirmed say the colonel suffered a serious case of
diarrhea, after having a meal believed to have been poisoned. He died after
several weeks under intensive care and treatment accorded by the SSA. His
funeral was held on 4 April. 

His unit, the 16th Brigade, is responsible for the security of Hsengkeo, HQ
to both the SSA-North and the Shan State Peace keeping Committee, a joint
setup of the SSA-N and the Shan State National Army, another ceasefire
group. He was the commander trusted by all the three factions of the
combined Shan States Army, which includes the SSA-South of Yordserk. His
death is therefore regarded as a painful blow to all the three groups. 

Before his sudden ailment, he was having a dispute with the SPDC's
Northeastern Command for the killing of his 6 fighters plus 1 civilian on
21 December 1997. 

Col. Ngo-harn, a native of Kesi, joined the Residence around 1973. He
served with distinction in the SSA then under Sao Sai Lek's command. He was
given a command of his own after Sai Lek agreed to join the Mong Tai Army
in which he distinguished himself in several battles. His defection early
in 1995, following Sai Lek's mysterious death, was the precursor to
Gunyord's famous mutiny on 6 June the same year which led to the collapse
of the MTA. 

For further details, please contact at (053) 807 121 or e-mail address
<shan@xxxxxxxxxxxx>.

Shan Herald Agency for News.