Regime Destroys Ta’ang Signs In Lashio Township
By Network Media Group
Monday, June 19, 2023
Sit-tat (Burma army) soldiers have been destroying signs erected in Ta’ang villages in the local language in Lashio Township, northern Shan State.
A local who spoke to NMG on condition of anonymity said 30 soldiers destroyed a sign at the entrance to Khur Hnin on 13 June “with orders from above”. Not far from Khur Hnin, they destroyed signboards in Peing Nyaung and San Phyet the previous day. On 9 June, the soldiers took down signs in Tawnt Talung, Nawng Yon, Kawng Hker, Tawng Nouk and Ywa Thit.
“I heard that they destroyed these signs, which were written in the Ta’ang language and included a Ta’ang flag, because they were put up without permission from the local regime administrators,” said a person from the Ta’ang Literature and Cultural Association for Lashio Township. The association, which included its logo on the signs, is currently consulting on the matter and how best to respond.
Locals say there are many ethnic groups living in the township, but that the sit-tat is unfairly targeting the Ta’ang communities. Some speculate that it may have something to do with the recent talks in eastern Shan State between the Three Brotherhoods Alliance and the regime, which did not go well. The Palaung State Liberation Front is an alliance member and its armed wing, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, is fighting with the sit-tat.
The previous National League for Democracy government allowed villages to erect signs in Ta’ang, Shan and Kachin languages.
