Pyithu Hluttaw Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann, accompanied by chairmen and members of parliamentary committees, visited the military hospital in Lashio, Shan State, on 23 May, presenting gifts in cash and kind in honour of officers and soldiers wounded in defence of the country.
At the Northeast Command, the speaker met local authorities, leaders of self-administered areas, political parties, and families of the command.
Speaking at the meeting, he said the Tatmadaw has won public support and adulation for its justified warfare. In April, he comforted wounded military personnel receiving medical treatment at the military hospital in Pyin Oo Lwin.
People wanting to grasp power in an unfair way used ethnic youths for their self-interest, he said, referring to clashes in Laukkai that have inflicted heavy losses on the army and left the region unstable with internally displaced people.
U Kyaw Ni Naing, an MP from Laukkai, said the Kokanginsurgents are nearing their end as the army is accelerating its attacks. He said he had witnessed losses on both sides and the plight of innocent locals including young children. He urged all ethnic armed groups to exchange arms for peace as the general elections approach.
U Thein Zaw, chairman of the Internal Peace Building Committee, said the army’s strenuous effort has brought about stability in the Kokang area despite some sporadic outbreaks of conflict among local ethnic groups. He described some ethnic leaders’ craze for power as the reason for recent clashes in the Kokang area, adding negotiations are the best way to solve armed conflicts.
Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann presented assistance in kind for the army members shouldering military operations in Laukkai. Fuli Light company donated K10 million for army members in the line of duty in the area. Local people should help the army with regional stability and peace, with the speaker urging the army to improve itself and win public respect and support. He laid wreaths at the memorial to fallen heroes in Lashio and saluted them.
Reference: GNLM
23 May, 2015